He is a familiar face who stands by the streets of Melbourne CBD. His name is Chito Javier, a Filo Foot Patrol worker roaming the City streets carrying a backpack.
Foot Patrol is a confidential mobile, street based, needle syringe program operating the whole year round in Melbourne’s CBD.
Established in 1996, Foot Patrol prevents the transmission of blood borne viruses through the provision of clean injecting equipment, safe syringe disposal units, safer using advice, safe sex information, contraception, support and referrals.
The Foot Patrol model is based on two community development workers walking a designated route in the city each day enabling easy, discreet and free access to clean injecting equipment.
Watch this documentary video of Javier to learn more about the Foot Patrol program.
More information can be found on Youth Projects website.