Peptide users seeking free syringes overwhelm harm-minimisation charities

Needle and syringe programs (NSPs) established to stem the spread of blood-borne viruses, including HIV, are struggling with an "enormous surge" in peptide use, with social media influencers suggesting people access free syringes at the harm minimisation charities.

Directions Health Services in Canberra is funded by the ACT government to offer safe injecting equipment to drug users but says it has had to limit the stock it can give clients due to an increased demand from peptide-users.

Directions Health Services chief executive Stephanie Stephens said for the past decade, NSPs had predominantly helped those seeking to inject heroin or amphetamine.

"But in the past year … we've seen an enormous surge in people accessing sharps and needles to administer peptides," Ms Stephens said.

"Month-by-month we see an increase."

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that make up proteins in our bodies.

There are a number of peptide-based medicines that are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), but many other products are unregulated.

"I think a core thing with the peptide interest is this wish [for people] to have a quick solution, a bit of a silver bullet whether it's to weight loss, to beauty, to recovery,"

Ms Stephens said.

"And while we love responding to new community groups and people who we can work with to reduce harms — and there are unique harms associated with peptide use — we're also concerned about the pressure that puts on our supply.

"We know that people are often buying these unregulated peptides through social media, so if they're in a position to also be buying the sharps, the syringes they need … we'd suggest they take that course of action."

She said NSPs needed to preserve their stock for "marginalised communities, such as [intravenous] drug users."

Suppliers can't meet stock orders

The service is able to gauge the rise in peptide use because staff ask clients what the last drug they injected was.

NSP team leader Tammy Waters said most people were "really honest".

"They tell us if they're using steroids, peptides, heroin, ice, or anything … [but] they don't have to answer,"

she said.

Ms Waters said staff at the service build a strong rapport with clients, who were able to present anonymously.

"Sometimes they don't even come in for equipment; they come in because they feel it's a safe place to come, they feel they can talk to us … to not be judged, stigmatised," she said.

"A hello and a goodbye is a big difference in some of our clients' days."

She said NSPs also have food, clothing, and can link people with other health services.

Ms Waters said the uptick in peptide use had put pressure on NSPs nationwide, with suppliers unable to fulfil orders.

"[Our supplier] can't give us as much of the stock as I actually order," she said.

Directions Health Services has also seen an increase in the cost to safely remove and dispose of the clinical waste.

The service said a typical syringe could cost between 15 cents and $1, and it was able to help people who do have the means to buy the equipment by sharing a list of places to purchase.