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Gosnells Needle and Syringe Exchange to be relocated

Ben SmithComment News

CITY of Gosnells council confirmed the Needle and Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) will move from its current location.

The council advised they had received written confirmation from the WA AIDS Council they would move the program from its current site on Lissiman Street in Gosnells.

Gosnells District Progress and Ratepayers Association had presented a petition to the council on March 14 requesting the NSEP move from its current location.

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They claimed there had been an increase in anti-social behaviour near the NSEP’s current location over the past eight months.

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They also said they did not want the service to be stopped, just moved to a more discreet location.

The WA AIDS Council set up the NSEP every Friday afternoon behind the Gosnells Railway Markets in the carpark.

The program provides people who inject drugs with a safe space to dispose of used needles, as well as safer sex equipment and free advice.

The NSEP has operated from its current site for over ten years.

The City said they had received very few complaints in relation to the service operating from this site until recently.

Discussion of the council’s report on the petition was deemed confidential as it contained sensitive information regarding the WA AIDS council.

As a result, the public gallery was required to vacate the council chambers for five minutes during the discussion.

Afterwards, the council advised given the WA AIDS Council CEO had already written to explain they would relocate their service, there was little point in the city requesting they move.

It is understood the NSEP will relocate to its previous site on Canning Park Avenue in Maddington.