Harm Reduction Services

Since 2015, the Alliance for Positive Health has developed Harm Reduction Services to reduce the number of drug overdoses and prevent transmission of HIV, hepatitis C, and STIs. These services operate out of our Plattsburgh and Glens Falls offices and serve Clinton, Franklin, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, and Washington counties.

The Syringe Exchange Program (also known as Project Exchange) is a free and anonymous program which addresses the need for safe injection supplies throughout the community by providing sterile syringes, injection supplies, and safe disposal of used syringes.

The Opioid Overdose Prevention Program was created in July 2015 to provide education on safe substance use practices, Narcan training for overdose prevention, and referral to substance use treatment. The program expanded in 2018, collaborating with several organizations including hospitals, police departments, and substance use treatment providers to offer services through satellite sites. Providing training to more individuals on the administration of Narcan is essential to preventing overdose.

Hepatitis C Patient Navigation was developed in 2018 to provide testing for HIV and hepatitis C. The program includes linking individuals to treatment adherence counseling, harm reduction counseling, and other services as needed. The program was selected by the University at Albany School of Public Health to participate in The UPSIDE study to understand the levels of hepatitis C and HIV among those who inject drugs in rural areas of New York State.

Established in 2018, the Drug User Health Hub (HUB) provides expanded services to those enrolled in SEP including overdose aftercare, linkage to substance use treatment, harm reduction counseling, and more. In 2019, the HUB added a Buprenorphine Bridge Clinic to help people stop the use of heroin and other opioid drugs. A Physician's Assistant (PA) and Registered Nurse (RN) work with the Harm Reduction team to stabilize individuals by prescribing vital medication and bridging them to providers for continued treatment.

Drop boxes for needle disposal can be found at: 

• Plattsburgh City Police Department – Lobby
• Wilcox Docks, Plattsburgh (off Cumberland Ave.)
• Green Street, Plattsburgh (near foot bridge)
• Ticonderoga Police Department
• Algonkin Street Parking Lot, Ticonderoga
• Brushton United Methodist Church

 

Harm Reduction supplies and services are available at:

Plattsburgh:  202 Cornelia Street

Monday & Friday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Wednesdays: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Contact: 518.563.2437

 

Ticonderoga:  166 Champlain Ave.

First Tuesday of each month: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Third Thursday of each month: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Contact: 518.563.2437

 

Glens Falls: Services delivered by appointment only

Monday – Friday: 10:30 am – 3:00 pm

518.743.0703

 

For additional information or to speak to a Harm Reduction Specialist, please call 518.563.2437.