Health Department

http://www.in.gov/isdh/27356.htm

Indiana State Department of Health Syringe Service & Harm Reduction Programs – Frequently Asked Questions

What is harm reduction?
Harm reduction is a public health principle designed to decrease the harm associated with human behaviors. Harm reduction can prevent illness or injury that may occur as a result of doing dangerous things. Some examples of harm reduction include wearing a seatbelt while driving, condom use during sexual activity, and syringe-service programs that provide clean syringes and other materials to people who inject drugs.

What is a syringe-service program?
Syringe-service programs, sometimes called needle or syringe-exchange programs, are fixed or mobile places where people who inject drugs can receive clean, sterile syringes and other supplies that they need to safely inject and properly dispose of used syringes, based on the concept of harm reduction. Syringe-service programs also supply referrals to health and/or social service resources, including substance abuse and mental health treatment. Some syringe-service programs may also offer food, clothing, and other necessities. Syringe-service programs are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the transmission of HIV disease and hepatitis B and C, and to reduce the occurrence of bacterial infections.

Do syringe service programs encourage injection drug use?
No. Many studies over the past nearly 40 years have found the opposite to be true, showing that Syringe-service programs are effective at reducing the use of injection drug use and assisting people in being successful in their recovery from the disease of addiction. 

What does a visit to a syringe exchange program look like?
Participants in a syringe-service program are greeted by staff and/or a volunteer who will talk with them about what they might need that day including supplies, testing, immunizations, and/or referrals to additional services.  Participants are provided with enough syringes to ensure that they use a clean syringe during every injection, as well as alcohol pads, bandages, and other supplies needed to prevent the spread of disease and bacterial infection. Participants are encouraged to bring in used syringes but are not required to. All returned syringes are disposed of safely. 
Participants are asked if they have recently received testing for HIV, hepatitis, and STDs and if they would like to be tested for these during this visit. In addition, participants are offered adult immunizations, condoms, and referrals to health and/or social services, including substance abuse and mental health treatment.

Some syringe services also may provide other necessities, such as food, clothing, or toiletries.  A very small amount of non-identifiable information is collected in order to support program planning and evaluation.

If someone goes to a syringe service program will they be reported to the police or other law enforcement officials?
No. Syringe-service programs do not collect or provide any information about people to law enforcement. Law enforcement in the communities where harm-reduction and syringe-service programs are offered often collaborate with local health departments to ensure safety for the community at large, the staff and volunteers, and the participants of harm-reduction and syringe-service programs. Law enforcement officers do not wait outside of syringe-service programs to arrest people and work in partnership with participants and prosecutors to prevent unnecessary charges related to participation in these programs. Public health, law enforcement, and syringe service program participants work hard to ensure a safe and accessible environment for those that use the program and the larger community.

What other services do syringe service programs provide?
Syringe-service programs provide HIV, hepatitis, STD, and other testing, as well as adult immunizations, condoms, and referrals to health and/or social services, including substance abuse and mental health treatment. Some syringe services also may provide necessities such as food, clothing, or toiletries.

Why do syringe service programs give out more than just sterile syringes/needles?
When drugs are prepared and injected, the supplies used may come into contact with blood that can spread HIV or hepatitis B or C. In order to prevent the spread of these infections and the potential for a bacterial infection to occur, participants are provided with the supplies necessary to use their own clean equipment for every injecting event.

What is naloxone and do syringe-service programs supply it to participants and loved ones?
Nalaxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is an overdose-reversal medication that counters the effect of opioids such as heroin and morphine. Nalaxone only works if the person has opioids in his or her system. Nalaxone is not addictive. Hoosiers in need of naloxone can visit https://optin.in.gov/  or contact a syringe service program to get more information or find a location where they can obtain it.

Where are syringe service programs located in Indiana?
A listing of syringe service programs in Indiana is available at http://www.in.gov/isdh/27356.htm  or by calling Erika Chapman, MPH, CPH, CHES, Harm Reduction Program Manager, at 317-234-4122.

I have another question that was not answered here, how can I have it answered?
If you have any questions about harm reduction or syringe service programs in Indiana, please contact Erika Chapman, MPH, CPH, CHES, Harm Reduction Program Manager, at 317-234-3122 or [email protected]

1 “Several studies have found that providing sterilized equipment to injection drug users substantially reduces risk of HIV infection, increases the probability that they will initiate drug treatment, and does not increase drug use.” (National HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategy for the United States, 2010)
Updated: 10/2017 EC

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