Our syringe exchange program (SEP) is designed for community members to reduce the risks involved in injection drug use. By hosting syringe drop boxes, offering free sterile needles and other supplies, providing access to testing, education, and vaccinations, we hope to decrease infections, needle-stick injuries, and deaths caused by injection drug use. Our staff and volunteers are trained to provide compassionate, confidential, safe, and educational services to our clients.
We currently have all supplies, fentanyl test strips and naloxone (both nasal NARCAN and injectable naloxone).
The Syringe Exchange Program provides free services to people using injection drugs (18 years and older):
-Syringe exchange
We exchange used syringes for sterile syringes to decrease the chance of infection through re-used and/or shared needles.
-New supplies
Depending on supplies, we provide new tourniquets, cottons, cookers, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, sterile water, and sharps containers to prevent infection with contaminated “rigs”.
-HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis C testing
Our companion public health team offers FREE testing at both the Downtown Bend and Redmond outreach sites. It requires a simple finger-poke and delivers rapid results (20 minutes) that screen for existing syphilis, HIV and/or Hepatitis C infections.
-Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, flu and other vaccines
We provide periodic FREE vaccine clinics to prevent diseases that are linked to injection drug use and associated risky behaviors.
-Education and referrals
We have information regarding infection reduction, overdose prevention, social services, substance use treatment, medical care, and mental health services. At both sites, we partner with the Mosaic Medical Van for exchangers to receive primary care as needed.
-Naloxone Distribution program
Depending on grant-funded availability, we distribute FREE naloxone to exchangers at high risk for having or witnessing an overdose. We are currently providing both nasal Narcan and injectable naloxone FREE OF COST.