Drug User Health/Syringe Service Programs
Harm Reduction Initiative funds community- based programs that deliver a menu of evidence-based harm reduction and health services for People Who use Drugs (PWUD) including their families, and social networks. New York State's syringe access programs and services, dates back to 1992, reduce transmission of HIV and HCV among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) by furnishing new, sterile syringes to enrolled participants, enabling them to use a new syringe for every injection.
In 2018, funded Drug User Health Hubs joined the resume of harm reduction programs with the goal of expanding and bolstering wrap around services to incorporate people at risk of opioid overdose and onsite, low-threshold, on-demand buprenorphine treatment and primary care services for people who use drugs..
In recent months crystal meth use in New York State has become the Office of Drug User Health’s priority to educate consumers and providers about the physical and mental health harms associated with stimulant use. Men who have sex with men who use stimulants are a growing group where community providers are unable to meet the needs of the priority population. Through organized, community led listening sessions, evidence-based led training and skills building and continued partnership with various stakeholders the Initiative's goal is to grow and direct resources to help support and address the physical and health needs of persons who use stimulants.
Drug User Health Hubs
Stigma, and lack of understanding of the needs of people who use drugs, creates significant barriers to the delivery of vital prevention and health care services. This was the impetus for New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute Office of Drug Health to develop Drug User Health Hubs out of some existing Syringe Exchange Programs. The Drug User Health Hubs improve the availability and accessibility of an array of appropriate health, mental health, and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder services for people who use drugs, especially but not solely injection drug users. These services can be provided on-site and/or through facilitated linkage to culturally relevant care and treatment services. Drug User Health Hubs operate within a harm reduction framework of prevention with a special emphasis on preventing and responding to overdose. Although the source of contact is self-referral by people who use drugs, funded programs work to foster relationships with law enforcement, emergency departments, emergency medical services and families. Perhaps the most important element of this work is the relationship that is established between the person who is drug-involved and the hub organization. It can be a critical turning point in a person´s life to have support and guidance that is not predicated on cessation of drug use.
Syringe Services Programs
New York State Department of Health has provided a harm reduction safety net for over 30 years through a statewide network of syringe exchange programs. Syringe services programs are proven and effective community-based prevention programs that provide a range of services, including:
- Access to and disposal of sterile syringes and injection equipment
- Screening, care, and treatment for viral hepatitis and HIV
- Education about overdose prevention and safer injection practices
- Vaccinations, including those for hepatitis A and hepatitis B
- Screening for sexually transmitted diseases
- Abscess and wound care
- Naloxone distribution and education
- Referral to social, mental health, and other medical services
- Medicaid Harm Reduction Service Benefits
- Syringe Service Programs (SSPs)
Syringe Access & Disposal
Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP)
In 2000, the New York State Legislature changed the Public Health Law to authorize a demonstration program to expand access to sterile hypodermic needles and syringes. This is a public health measure to prevent blood borne diseases, most notably HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and hepatitis C. ESAP became effective January 1, 2001 and as of the summer of 2009, became a permanent program.
New York State Safe Sharps Collection Program
Safe Sharps Collection Program, which began in 2001, expands settings for the disposal of used needles and other sharps. Through this program, pharmacies, health clinics, community-based organizations, public transportation facilities, housing projects, police stations, bus depots and other venues have become sites for sharps collection. Sharps collection kiosks and wall-mounted units are provided free of charge to registered sites. The program also provides small personal sharps containers (Fitpacks) that may be disposed with regular garbage.
Materials
- Application for Registration to Accept Home Generated Sharps for Safe Disposal (DOH 4275, 1/20)
- How to Safely Dispose of Household Sharps (Rev. 3/19) (PDF)
- Spanish (2/16) (PDF)
- Additional ESAP Materials
