Abstract: Objective – To measure injecting drug user’s attitudes to allowing other persons to use a needle and syringe known to be contaminated with hepatitis C virus. Methods – Demographic and historical data were collected at interview from a convenience sample of methadone and buprenorphine maintenance patients in mid-2002. Respondents also answered 12 attitudinal items on needlesharing, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS and harm minimisation. Results – Subjects generally understood the threat posed by HIV and hepatitis C virus including the risk of reinfection with hepatitis C. They supported needle and syringe exchanges (90%) and safe injecting rooms (84%) and a majority supported the decriminalization of cannabis (69%) and the prescription of heroin to addicts (61%). However, forty-one of 100 respondents either failed to reject the proposition that “Even if I had hepC, I’d let people use needles after me – I’d warn them but it’s their risk” or failed to accept the proposition “If I had hepC, I’d never let anyone use my needles after me, even if it meant they didn’t get a hit”. Conclusion – Despite an awareness of the risks involved, many Sydney injecting drug users are still prepared to let other people use a needle and syringe known to be contaminated with hepatitis C virus. Implications – Attempts should be made to reduce the supply of contaminated needles and syringes by encouraging injecting drug users to take responsibility for the health and safety of other users.