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Harm Reduction Services

At Ballarat Community Health (BCH), we believe every person deserves access to judgement-free, compassionate support. Our Harm Reduction Services exist to keep people safe, connected to care.

Harm reduction saves lives. It meets you where you are, without judgement, and reduces the risk of overdose, disease transmission, and other serious harms associated with drug use. It builds trust, often serving as a safe entry point into the health system and a pathway to further support.

Contact

Kate Davenport
Harm Reduction Coordinator

Phone (03) 5338 9164

Needle and Syringe Program

The Ballarat Community Health Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) is a public health initiative that aims to minimise the spread of blood-borne viruses and the harms associated with injecting drug use.

A confidential and non-judgemental NSP service to members of the community wishing to access

  • Sterile injecting equipment
  • Other safe injecting equipment such as sterile water, spoons and tourniquets
  • Nitazene test strips (available at our Learmonth Road site only)
  • Safe sex products
  • Education and information
  • Sharps disposal
  • Naloxone

All NSP equipment is provided free of charge.

Available weekdays from 9:00am–5:00pm from the following BCH sites

  • Lucas – 12 Lilburne Street
  • Sebastopol – 260 Vickers Street
  • Bakery Hill – 28 Victoria Street
  • Wendouree – 1042 Howitt Street
  • Wendouree – 10 Learmonth Road

An after-hours Syringe Dispensing Unit (SDU) is located at the following locations

  • Ballarat Community Health – 10 Learmonth Road, Wendouree
  • Uniting –  105 Dana Street, Ballarat Central

Please note: the SDU service operates outside of business hours only, including weekends and public holidays.

Checkpoint

Checkpoint is a free outreach service providing harm reduction support across the Central Highlands and Wimmera Southern Mallee.

A confidential and non-judgemental mobile service

  • Hepatitis C point-of-care testing and treatment
  • Take Home Naloxone
  • Needle and Syringe Program
  • Blood-borne virus, overdose prevention and harm reduction education
  • Information, resources and referral pathways

The service operates one day each month, rotating through communities across the region.
No appointment is required.

Checkpoint is a free, confidential and non-judgemental outreach service providing harm reduction support across the Central Highlands and Wimmera Southern Mallee.

  • Hepatitis C point-of-care testing and treatment
  • Take Home Naloxone
  • Needle and Syringe Program
  • Blood-borne virus, overdose prevention and harm reduction education
  • Information, resources and referral pathways

Resources

Hepatits C

Hepatitis C is one of several viruses that affects your liver and causes inflammation. Hepatitis C is curable. Visit LiverWELL.org.au

Naloxone Nasal Spray Guide

How to use Naloxone

Find out when naloxone should be given to a person, who should give it and how it is given. Learn where to go for help and support if you need it. Visit health.gov.au

Australian Drug Alerts

All in one place. Accurate and timely information on emerging drugs of concern. Visit theknow.org.au

Checkpoint harm Reduction Service
2026 Locations and Dates

Stawell
Tuesday July 21
Main Street Stawell (Near Pop-up Park)

St Arnaud
Tuesday August 18
(Location to be advised)

Ballarat
Tuesday September 22
(Location to be advised)

Daylesford
Tuesday October 20
(Location to be advised)

Warracknabeal
Tuesday November 17
(Location to be advised)

Ballarat
Tuesday December 1
(Location to be advised)

Take Home Naloxone Program

Victoria’s Take-Home Naloxone Program allows more people who may experience or witness an opioid overdose to access free naloxone from an expanded range of organisations.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by blocking opioids from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. This can restore normal breathing and save a life. It is non-addictive, non-intoxicating, and cannot be misused.

Naloxone is available free of charge from all Ballarat Community Health NSPs or via outreach by contacting the Harm Reduction Coordinator on 0448 871 391.

Take Home Naloxone Program Participating Sites

Find your nearest Take Home Naloxone Provider

Visit the Take Home Naloxone (THN) Program Participating Site Locator

Naloxone Dispensing Machine Trial

In April 2024 the Victorian Government announced a $95.11 million Statewide Action Plan to save lives, reduce drug harms and expand care across the CBD, suburbs and regions.

As part of this plan, 20 naloxone dispensing machines are being trialled across Victoria, with 10 in metropolitan Melbourne and 10 in regional and rural communities. The trial will run until June 2027.

The machines will be available 24/7 and each free naloxone packet contains two nasal sprays with one dose in each. The naloxone nasal sprays are easy-to-use and come with clear instructions.

Ballarat Community Health Naloxone Dispensing Machine is located at 28 Victoria Street, Bakery Hill.

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. It works by blocking opioids in the brain, helping to restore normal breathing and giving a person a chance to recover.

Naloxone is an important first aid tool, just like CPR. Having naloxone on hand means you can act quickly in an emergency and potentially save a life.

To learn more visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au