The nation is witnessing a growing number of people addicted to opioids, which has exacerbated the issue of unsafe injection practices among injection drug users. In addition to the dangers of drug use itself, injections can be unsafe when needles and syringes are shared. Diseases can be spread this way. For example, if someone who has hepatitis C or HIV uses injection equipment on themselves and then shares it, any subsequent users of that injection equipment are then exposed to the disease. That person may then share their equipment, and the cycle begins again. This is where syringe services programs come in. Among many other services, these programs offer sterile injection equipment and collection/disposal of used injection equipment. This removes the need for sharing because new equipment is available to everyone at no cost. It also removes used equipment from the community and helps to decrease the risk of accidental exposure. This protects the community, law enforcement, first responders, among many others. Syringe services programs operate under the harm reduction model. This model uses practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. It follows several principles. It:
There are currently two syringe services programs in Nevada. Northern Nevada HOPES houses Change Point, Nevada’s first syringe services program. The second syringe services program, Trac-B, is located in Las Vegas; this program is the first in the nation to offer syringe vending machines. People who want to use these machines need to register first with the program to receive a swipe card and unique ID number, then they can use their card to receive up to two kits per week. These machines are located at several locations around Las Vegas:
If you or someone you know needs these services, contact:
Change Point 445 Ralston St. Reno, NV 89503 Phone: (775) 997-7519 Email: [email protected] Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Trac-B Exchange 6114 W. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89146 Phone: (702) 840-6693 Email: [email protected] Hours: Monday 1:00pm – 6:00pm Tuesday 10:00am – 2:00pm Wednesday 10:00am – 2:00pm Thursday 10:00am – 2:00pm Friday 9:00am – 12:00pm HIV and HCV testing every Wednesday during business hours.
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AuthorOPHIE records and analyzes data from disease investigations, identifies risk factors, and provides education on disease prevention in Nevada. Archives
November 2018
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