Patterns of Peer Distribution of Injecting Equipment at an Authorized Distribution Site in Sydney, Australia.

Background: Extended distribution refers to the practice whereby people who inject drugs pass on sterile injecting equipment to their networks and can be a means to access people who inject drugs who do not attend state-sanctioned needle and syringe programs. While it is legal, to possess a sterile syringe for the purpose of injecting drugs in New South Wales, Australia, it is a criminal offence to pass this equipment on for others to use. In 2013 a pilot project was established to trial the authorization of "extended" peer distribution.