Idea for access to syringes

[bella amor]

**hope this is the right forum**
I've read so many posts here about people having to re-use and re-use their syringes over and over again. Having to sharpen them when they are blunt.
This is insanity to me.
I live in Australia where access to syringes is very easy. You can buy them discretely at a chemeist or swap your used ones for cleanies at a needle exchange clinic. These clinics will happily supply you with clean syringes in the name of harm minimisation.
You don't cope flack, you don't get harrassed, and you can pick up a fit pack at any local chemist no matter what suburb you are in.
I had an idea that for those of you who don't have ready access to clean syringes, to have them posted to you from Australia.
It may be pricey but its better than collapsing a vein.
And it surely couldn't be illegal.
I'd be happy to do it.
What do you guys think?
xxBellaxx
Ps, please disregard any spelling errors, I'm a tad wasted.

 

[Basecamp]

it most likely is illegal, as i think syringes are controlled, in the US anyway

 

[anarchistgirl]

^It depends on how mnay you buy if customs will confiscate it or not. Not a lot of places have a needle exchange, and a lot places prohibit sales of syringes without a perscription...I wanna move to australia, or canada

 

[twominds]

^^^Also us Aussie's have an after hours delivery service operating 7 days a weeks from 5-11pm.

 

[scruples]

im in california and have obtained syringes online at low cost with no questions asked...

 

[uenjymyself]

""I've read so many posts here about people having to re-use and re-use their syringes over and over again. Having to sharpen them when they are blunt.""


whrere are you reading these post?

 

[tramagesty]

it most likely is illegal, as i think syringes are controlled, in the US anyway

I don't know about all the 50 states, but in general, syringes are not controlled in the US. I know that in KS and Misso, you can just walk up to the counter @ Walgreens and ask for needles, and while it may be an issue of discretion on the pharmacist's part, usually they will sell them to you, as it isn't illegal. One independent pharmacy that I frequent keeps the 100 ct boxes out on the shelves with the rest of the OTC meds. Also, there are plenty of Diabetescare websites that will sell boxes for a reasonable price. I think that for whatever reason most ppl just assume that you need an RX to buy needles. I guess that it couldn't hurt to have some story about your grandma having diabetes, and knowing what kind of insulin granny takes, what dose, etc.

 

[negrogesic]

I don't know about all the 50 states, but in general, syringes are not controlled in the US

I live in california, and I know that syringes are in fact controlled, and will not be sold by any pharmacy without a prescription. You can also get in trouble for possesion of syringes, even a fresh sealed syringe, with no residue. Most pharmacies wont even sell you the sterile water designed for injecting purposes, without a prescription. This isnt much of a problem, because sterile eyewash or nose wash solution works fine.

There are a number of needle exchanges available in this state, that are generally pretty accesible. However, the quantity they give you is generally based on the number of used syringes you bring for disposal. There are also a number of online sources that will send syringes to california, in whatever quatity desired. So a source all the way from australia seems unnessesary, especially if it is more expensive, and the package is more prone to inspection/seziure than a package that is shipped domestically.

 

[staind rose]

i am in Washington state, its not a problem at all here. i am in a perfectly decent area of town and i can walk to 2 needle exchanges (both within 15 minutes)... it does depend on what state you are in, sometimes you have to be a bit more creative, but its really not THAT hard to obtain syringes.

i am a bit annoyed because i just found out my roomate volunteers at my needle exchange (which is nice she wants to help out and all) but my roomates don't need to know what i do in my spare time. since i don't know when she's there, or even which exchange yet, ive been holding off on exchanging my needles. i can always get a junkie to exchange them for me, for a buck though...

 

[Ketamike]

Staind Rose: I can't help but to find your pickle hilarious... I'm sorry

I'm in NJ... I just gave up the spike, but i'm sure my legs would look a lot better if this never happened.

 

[Seedlesss]

I am in Chicago and its technically illegal to be in possession of a hypodermic needle with out a prescription. The is a hugh needle exchange that operates of of Chicago. Covering all directions far into the suburbs, after I think 8pm weekdays you are provided with a page number and you can page the Needle Exchange guy to meet you somewhere until 11pm.

The mainly operate in big campertrucks and usually park with in walking distance to a group of major drug spots. The mobile van is on the move Monday thru Monday if I remember correctly. They also have a few offices/clinics they also stock needles. Weekends I think they stay out later. They are also distributing narcan.

Some pharmacies in Illinois will let you buy new needles only if the sun is shining just right. 10 minutes from the south side (chicago) is the Indiana border. In Indiana it is legal to posses and buy needles. Most every Walgreens, Jewel, etc. will sell you what you need, although they can turn you down if they want.

 

[Flexistentialist]

It's not a bad idea bella amor, and it's one I seriously considered for a while. I can get boxes of 100 1ml syringes ridiculously cheap, and postage to the US isn't that expensive.

I asked a solicitor friend about the legalities and he laughed at me. I'd forgotten that in Australia it's actually illegal to supply needles without authorisation from your state health department. Sending neeldes overseas might contravene this and you could be open for legal penalties.

Access to clean injecting equipment is just so important. It's pretty scary hearing of people being arrested for giving out clean needles.

 

[Vociferous]

I live in california, and I know that syringes are in fact controlled, and will not be sold by any pharmacy without a prescription.

I live in CA too, and happen to know that you can get syringes no problem over the counter from a certain warehouse store. Ask for 1/2 or 1cc BD insulin syringes. You have to sign a list, but if you are fine with that I doubt you will be given any problem.