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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Role and services of Syringe Service Programs
0:11:31
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91 sec
Linn-Walton explains the critical role of Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) in addressing the overdose crisis and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. She details the range of services these programs provide beyond syringe distribution.
- SSPs offer sterile syringes, safe disposal, and a wide range of health services
- They provide referrals to physical and mental health care, addiction treatment, and HIV/hepatitis C testing
- SSPs also offer basic needs services like laundry, showers, and meals, creating opportunities for connecting clients with lifesaving services
Rebecca Linn-Walton
0:11:31
Syringe service providers, SSPs, are invaluable resources in this work.
0:11:36
They are community based organizations designated as New York State licensed syringe exchange programs, SEPs.
0:11:43
The health department contracts with 14 of these organizations.
0:11:47
They provide syringes to reduce community spread of infectious disease along with a myriad of other essential services.
0:11:54
I will refer to this network of 14 community based organizations as SSPs going forward.
0:12:00
To fulfill their state license duties as SEPs, SSPs offer access to sterile syringes and safe syringe disposal.
0:12:09
Some have dedicated teams to collect and safely dispose of used syringes found in the communities they serve.
0:12:16
Additionally, they provide a range of health services including referrals to or on-site physical and mental health care, opioid addiction treatment with buprenorphine, naloxone distribution, overdose education, HIV and hepatitis C testing and counseling, drug treatment counseling, support groups and drop in centers.
0:12:37
These services offer key opportunities for connections to care.
0:12:41
Treatment and recovery go hand in hand with harm reduction.
0:12:45
SSPs are also help meet clients meet their basic needs providing laundry services and showers, hot meals, menstrual supplies and clothing.
0:12:54
They offer a critical window of opportunity for connecting clients with all of these lifesaving services that can be tailored to their unique needs.