The Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) has been conducted annually since 2000. The IDRS is a national drug monitoring system, designed to identify and track emerging trends of local and national concern in illicit drug use and markets. The IDRS forms part of the broader Drug Trends program.

This bulletin examines the reasons for not using a new needle following every injection, among participants who reported re-using their own needle.

Key findings

• In 2025, almost one third of the national IDRS sample reporting re-using their own needle in the month prior to interview. These participants were asked why they had used a new needle for every injection.
• The most common reasons for not using a new needle following every injection comprised ‘It is inconvenient or it takes too long to get a new needle every time I inject’ (35%), and ‘I don’t take the time to get a new needle/having to think about using a new needle interrupts the ritual of injecting’ (35%). ‘I cleaned my used needle with water before re-using it’ was reported by 30% of those who had not used a new needle following injection.

Discussion

Amongst those who reported re-using their own needle in the month prior to interview, inconvenience/time and interruption to the ritual of injecting were the most common reasons for not using a new needle following injection. Cleaning used needles prior to injection was also commonly reported. Although the current study did not evaluate cleaning strategies, previous research suggests that people who inject have poor cleaning techniques. Additionally, single-use needles are manufactured to blunt following skin penetration; as such, their reuse, even after cleaning, may damage the vein lining and increase the risk of blood clot formation. Disseminating information about venous access and care to people who inject drugs is important, alongside efforts to support safer injecting practices within the realities of everyday drug use.

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Recommended citation

Karlsson A, Peacock A. & Sutherland R. Reasons for not using a new needle after every injection, among a sample of people who regularly inject illicit drugs in Australia, 2025. Drug Trends Bulletin Series. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney; 2026. Available from: doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/32042

Funding and copyright

Drug Trends is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Drug and Alcohol Program.

©NDARC, UNSW SYDNEY 2026 

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• Reasons for not using a new needle after every injection, among a sample of people who regularly inject illicit drugs in Australia, 2025

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