While there are many programs to service other western suburbs, coverage is patchy in Brimbank.

ISIS Primary Care in St Albans runs a free exchange program. Chief executive Terry O'Brien said that while the clinic was often busy, there were no plans to extend the hours or open other sites in Brimbank.

Graeme Wurm Pharmacy in Deer Park also runs an exchange, from 9am-9pm each day. Employee 'Peter', who did not want his surname used, said demand was high. "There don't seem to be too many services around this area. They could probably do with some more, for sure," he said.

The western region's primary needle and exchange program is at Health Works in Footscray, which is open 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays. Each day up to 80 people visit the centre, which also provides other medical and social services.

Health Works program manager Jacqui Brown said it made sense that such services were "open all times of the day because drug using happens at all times of the day". She said there was limited access to needles on Sundays. "The more clean equipment we can get out to people, the better ... and the more that people come into Health Works the more likely they are to link up to other services."

In 1990, Youth Projects began an outreach service that provides clean syringes to people in the western and northern suburbs out of hours. A vehicle equipped with clean injecting equipment, disposal service, contraceptives, and educational information on safe sex and disease visits suburbs from 7.30am-11.15pm every day of the year. Its service area includes Maribyrnong, Braybrook, Footscray, Tottenham and Yarraville, but the only suburb in Brimbank it covers is Keilor.

Chair of the board Melanie Raymond said the project had funding only within certain boundaries, but it would like to cover more suburbs like Sunshine and St Albans.

"It would make sense to expand out to suburbs like those, where there is a need. Many of our clients come from these areas to access the service," she said.

"The drug problem is still as prevalent as ever, but the safety message is getting out there."