The Point

The Point was developed by the Center for Health & Social Research at SUNY Buffalo State in collaboration with the Erie County Department of Health.

Overview

The Point is a site locator tool originally developed for the purpose of finding locations statewide and/or near you where you can obtain hypodermic needles and syringes without a prescription, as well as locations where syringes and drugs can be disposed safely in secure and anonymous drop boxes (kiosks). You will soon be able to find locations to obtain Naloxone and places where you can be tested for Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Through the use of an internet address http://www.thepointny.org, you can access the locater. The site offers a search function to help find locations near addresses of interest (e.g. home or work) as well as a browse feature where you can navigate in a map to explore where to find these locations. Each location has an automatic link to Google Maps for driving directions so users can easily find and access them. The site contains a resource section for additional information about the ESAP program as well as links to other relevant information (e.g. the 911 Good Samaritan Law). The site is regularly updated to reflect the most current locations for syringe disposal and syringe access.

Information Provided

Site Type Information

  • Naloxone - obtain naloxone, the drug that reverses opioid overdose, at a pharmacy without a prescription. Naloxone is covered by Medicaid or private insurance--- contact your insurer to double check)
  • Syringe Drop off - sites where syringes are disposed of in secure and anonymous drop boxes (kiosks)
  • Hep C Testing - these sites offer hepatitis c antibody testing and may provide confirmatory testing or referral for this service.
  • Syringe Access - obtain syringes without a prescription
  • Syringe/Drug Drop Off - drug drop off kiosks, typically placed next to syringe collection kiosks
  • Syringe Exchange - Provides new sterile syringes and other safer injection supplies, and safe disposal of used syringes