Syringe Exchange, "The Works"
The Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) Works Program
staff and volunteer peer educators provide outreach, education, and
syringe exchange services to reduce HIV and viral hepatitis transmission
among local injection drug users (IDU) and their partners.
Outreach staff meets with clients regularly to provide
education about preventing the spread of HIV and other blood-borne
diseases. Discussion topics include wound care and vein health, safer
sex practices, and behavior change theory. Clients are also encouraged
to take advantage of testing and counseling services for HIV and
hepatitis B and C, as well as vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. Staff
is also trained in linking clients to substance abuse treatment when
appropriate. All services are free and confidential.
Syringe exchange services provide new sterile syringes
and other harm reduction supplies, as well as information on safer
injection practices in order to prevent the sharing of infected needles. The
program operates a “one-for-one” exchange: if 10 used syringes are
brought in for disposal, staff will exchange them with 10 clean
syringes. There is no minimum or maximum limit to the number of syringes
a person may exchange.
Currently, the program has over 40 trained volunteers
that serve about 60 individuals and make approximately 500 contacts with
those enrolled. This year, Works staff has received over 45,000 syringes
and distributed over 44,200. Works Program volunteers are primarily
active or recovering injecting drug users, and syringe exchanges occur
primarily in the field.
- For more information:
- Call 303-413-7500.
- Or call "The Works" pager at 303-281-3008, or toll free:
1-800-824-1426.
Staff and peer educators inform clients of drug treatment
resources available in the community.
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