'Community Sharps' are considered to be those needles, syringes and lancets used by members of the community for the administration of medication, drugs and supplements, or for the testing of specific physiological parameters such as blood sugar levels. A sharp is defined as an object or devise having sharp points, protuberances or cutting edges that are capable of causing a penetrating injury to humans. Due to an increasing population and new patients being diagnosed with illness that requires medication by injection, there will be an ongoing need to provide and encourage the correct use of community sharps services.
It is envisaged that a culture of safe sharps disposal can be created by enhancing and promoting the options for safe sharps disposal and appropriate sharps management information.
Strengthening community health and safety
The Logan Community Sharps Management Plan (CSMP) was developed to provide an integrated approach to managing sharps in Logan, that meets community expectation, facilitates community partnership, provides supportive disposal options and that complies with State and Federal Government policy and legislation. The formulation of this community sharps management plan provides Logan with an opportunity to facilitate innovative and responsive approaches to reducing the risks associated with inappropriate discarded sharps, and build community capacity by providing appropriate information to better inform the community and to alleviate any unnecessary level of anxiety from misconceptions.