RUSH

Needle & Syringe Program
Responsive User Services in Health Northern Sydney Local Health District

What’s RUSH? Responsive User Services in Health.
We supply clean needles and other injecting equipment, dispose of used sharps, and provide information and referrals for counselling, medical care, legal and other social services. All our services are confidential.
The safe disposal of fits and other injecting equipment is important – you’re protecting yourself, your friends, your family and your community.

RUSH offers assistance with disposal and clean-up for people who inject, the community, and those who want to provide disposal facilities for others.
It’s understandable if you feel a bit wary about carrying clean or used fits in public, but it’s not illegal. A better understanding of your rights can help you make the right decision when someone’s health – possibly your own – is on the line.
The more you know, the better you can look after yourself. As well as providing injecting equipment, RUSH offers advice, education, support and counselling services free of charge. We also provide referrals to various other medical and community social services.
RUSH does much more than just provide injecting equipment. As part of the NSW Ministry of Health Needle and Syringe Program, we play an active role in harm reduction, reducing the intrapersonal, social and health care costs of people who inject drugs in the community.
If you can't make it to us, we can come to you. RUSH runs an Outreach program that provides a full range of equipment, disposal, and face-to-face services once a week. We're here to help people who can't make use of our normal services due to distance, lack of transport or disability.
RUSH does much more than just provide injecting equipment. As part of the NSW Ministry of Health Needle and Syringe Program, we play an active role in harm reduction, reducing the intrapersonal, social and health care costs of people who inject drugs in the community.

Monthly Message

RUSH will have limited operating hours over the holiday season. Below is where you can access inject equipment 24/7.

Royal North Shore Hospital Community Health Centre	2c Herbert St, St Leonards	Vending Machine	10 packs 6 packs
Ryde Hospital Emergency Department	Denistone Rd, Eastwood	Chute inside the ED & over the counter	6 packs
Hornsby Hospital Emergency Department	Palmerston Rd, Hornsby	Vending machine chute inside the ED	10 packs 6 packs
Mona Vale Hospital Emergency Department	Coronation St, Mona Vale	Vending machine & Over the ED counter	10 packs 6 packs
Galston Community Health Centre	17 Arcadia Rd, Galston	Vending Machine	6 packs
Berowra Community Health Centre	123 Berowra Waters Rd, Berowra	Vending Machine	6 packs

Fit Pack Contents
6 packs

6 Terumo 1ml 27g fits
water
spoon
cotton
swabs

10 Packs

10 Terumo 1ml 27g fits

Linked file PDF – requires Adobe Reader

Question of the month

The holiday season is a time when some people choose to consume drugs and alcohol in greater quantitites than normal. Here at RUSH we want you to remember 3 simple things.

1. Don't mix different drugs together.
Combining differnt drugs together can drastically increase the effects it has on you. Be mindful about what you have taken and when.

There are so many different potential combinations with varying risk profiles. Take a look at this chart for more information (http://wiki.tripsit.me/wiki/Drug_combinations)

In particular,

2. Be extra careful if you have been drinking
Combining opioids like heroin, with alcohol and/or benzos, increases your risk of overdosing which can be fatal. Remember, know your limits and avoid using alone.

3. Stock up!
Over the party season RUSH will have limited operating hours. We recomend you stock up in preperation.