If proposed plans go ahead, drug users would be able to exchange used needles for clean ones at a site opposite St John the Baptist School in Ferntree Gully.

It is the second time in 10 years a needle exchange program has been mooted for the area, previous plans being shelved due to community concern.

St John principal Regina Flinn, who fought the 2001 plan, said she still strongly opposed a needle exchange.

"Since 2001 we've had no syringes on the property but the program seems to have reared its head again.

''There are a lot of very concerned parents, particularly parents of preschoolers. Realistically. they can't be watched every second of the day and the preschoolers are the ones that are going to go and pick up anything they find on the ground."

Ms Flinn said there were already several successful needle exchange programs in the area, including the Box Hill mobile service.

She said a petition with hundreds of signatures was making its way around the school. If the new program was implemented it would mean syringe needles for personal use would be made available and used syringes would be disposed of on-site. The program has been approved by the state Department of Health.

Knox Community Health chief executive Chris Potter said Knox was rated tenth on a list of ambulance call-outs relating to amphetamine use in Melbourne.

He said there were more than 3000 needle and syringe outlets across Australia, many of which are integrated into community-based health services.

"Needle and syringe programs save Australian taxpayers at least $100 million annually through preventing blood borne virus transmissions such HIV and hepatitis C."

Mr Potter said Knox Community Health Service had received a small number of complaints and requests for further information.