An increase in needle and syringe collection from Melbourne's city streets has been linked to a surge in intravenous drug use in the CBD that lord mayor Robert Doyle described as an "epidemic".

Melbourne City Council contractors are now collecting almost 500 syringes and needles a month from streets and lanes around the city. Last year they were collecting about 200.

Used syringes are becoming an increasing problem in Melbourne's city centre. User Dean said poor quality needles were part of the problem. Credit:Simon Schluter

The figures were provided by Melbourne City Council for the year to September.

The statistics largely detail loose syringes and needles found in streets, parks and laneways and do not include needles taken from syringe bins in public areas like toilets.