Substance Use

Syringe exchange, overdose prevention, education, and access to care for people who use drugs

Come as you are

Our harm reduction approach meets individuals where they are at with respect and compassion, helping them to improve their lives.

Whether you are ready to stop using or want to use safely, we can help. Our harm reduction philosophy means we accept your drug use without judgment, and with deep regard for human rights.

What is harm reduction? Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use.

How does harm reduction help? Harm reduction has been proven to provide a wide range of benefits.

  • reduces the number of overdoses
  • prevents transmission of HIV, hepatitis C, and STI
  • reduces injection site infections
  • improves the physical and mental wellness of people who use drugs

We meet you where you are at, when you need us.

LET US HELP
HARM REDUCTION WORKS

We make communities safer

We help prevent overdoses by bringing education and services to the community. Our staff collaborates with organizations like hospitals, police departments, and substance use treatment providers to help prevent overdoses. Education is provided regarding safe substance use practices, Narcan training for overdose prevention, and referral to substance use treatment. 

We can help

Syringe Exchange

We give out sterile syringes and take used syringes away for safe disposal.

Education

We provide tips and information for safer use.

Overdose Prevention

We provide free training and free access to naloxone for opioid overdose prevention.

Syringe Exchange Locations

845 Central Ave, Suite 202
Albany, NY 12206

Monday & Friday: 11:30am - 3:00pm
Tuesday - Thursday: by appointment

Call or text: 518-641-1097

Google Map directions

155 Erie Boulevard
Schenectady, NY 12305

Tuesday & Wednesday: 1:00 - 4:00pm

Call or Text 518-641-1976

Google Map directions

13 Chester St
Glens Falls, NY 12801

By appointment only

Call or Text 518-641-1533

Google Map directions

202 Cornelia St
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Monday & Friday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Call or Text: 518-641-1976

Google Map directions

166 Champlain Ave
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

1st Thursday of each month: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
3rd Thursday of each month: 4:30pm - 6:30pm

518-563-2437

Google Map directions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use syringe exchange?

Anyone who injects and/or uses medications or drugs can access a Syringe Exchange Program, also known as Syringe Services Program. Individuals seeking a safe place to access support or services around mental health, housing, food security, transportation, wound care, care management, and much more. Anyone who needs a safe place to land and feel safe is welcome in our syringe exchange.

Questions about overdose locations and procedures?

The AIDS Institute of New York offers this detailed provider directory.

Doesn't giving people unused needles encourage them to use drugs?

People don’t come to a syringe exchange so they can start using drugs, they already are. Syringe exchanges teach people how to use needles safely to prevent HIV, hepatitis C, and skin and tissue infections. People who use syringe exchanges are three times more likely to reduce or stop their drug use than those who do not participate in syringe exchange services. Meeting drug users where they are is a simple yet profound act of love. When someone is used to being met with stigma and experiences acceptance exactly as they are in the syringe exchange, magic begins to happen between our staff and the participant. By building trust, we can help participants begin to make small changes to how they use, resulting in a safer drug user and in turn, a safer community.

Won't a syringe exchange program bring a lot of needles into my neighborhood?

No, harm reduction staff provide free sharps containers and teach people how to properly dispose of used needles using puncture-resistant household containers. Most of the needles given out by our syringe exchange are brought back to the office or placed in one of our syringe kiosks located throughout our region. Most people don’t realize that syringes can be bought in local pharmacies and online without a prescription. This creates a more unsafe community, as people aren’t provided with education or containers when they obtain them this way and end up reusing syringes much more often, resulting in a higher impact on our medical system.

Is it legal to give out syringes?

It is legal for Syringe Exchange Programs (or Syringe Services Programs), Expanded Syringe Access Programs, healthcare practitioners, healthcare facilities, and Licensed Pharmacies to give out syringes without a prescription.

NYS PENAL LAW 220.45:

A person is guilty of criminally possessing a hypodermic instrument when he or she knowingly and unlawfully possesses or sells a hypodermic syringe or hypodermic needle. It shall not be a violation of this section when a person obtains and possesses a hypodermic syringe or hypodermic needle pursuant to section thirty-three hundred eighty-one of the public health law, which includes the state's syringe exchange and pharmacy and medical provider-based expanded syringe access programs.

 

NYS PENAL LAW 220.03

A person is guilty of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree when he or she knowingly and unlawfully possesses a controlled substance; provided, however, that it shall not be a violation of this section when a person possesses a residual amount of a controlled substance and that residual amount is in or on a hypodermic syringe or hypodermic needle obtained and possessed pursuant to section thirty-three hundred eighty-one of the public health law, which includes the state's syringe exchange and pharmacy and medical provider-based expanded syringe access programs.

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