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Evergreen Health’s harm reduction and syringe exchange programs are here to provide services and support for people who use drugs. We’re here to help you reduce your risk of overdose, meet your health and wellness goals, and access the medical and supportive services you need.
Whether you’re looking to use more safely, reduce your use, or stop using, you can count on our team to be understanding, affirming, educational and nonjudgmental as we work toward your goals, on your own terms.
We provide the tools and services that can help you reach your goals, but we don’t force you to do or be anything to participate in harm reduction or syringe exchange programs. Abstinence is not required, and we don’t stop providing services because of drug use.
Overdose prevention supplies and test strips
Our walk-in syringe exchange centers and mobile syringe exchange program offer clean needles and injection tools, overdose prevention training, and safer injection counseling with healthcare professionals and certified peers. People who use all substances are welcome.
Participating in the Syringe Exchange Program lets you receive a syringe exchange ID that will protect you from being charged for syringe possession if you encounter the police while carrying new or used syringes.
If you’re arrested for carrying syringes or are treated unfairly by police, please let your syringe exchange program staff know, and try to get the officer’s name or badge number. If you’re arrested, we can provide you with a letter for court that proves are a syringe exchange member and explains New York State laws about syringe possession. Syringe exchange membership doesn’t protect you from charges for drugs or other paraphernalia.
The Harm Reduction Program Mobile Unit travels around all 8 counties of Western New York providing the same services as our Syringe Exchange Centers.
Call or text us at 716.482.9633 to find out where the Harm Reduction Program Mobile Unit is right now.
To sign up for automatic text alerts about the mobile unit in your area, text one of the following locations to 716.415.5814:
Anyone who injects drugs such as heroin, cocaine, crack, meth, other opioids/opiates, etc., or other substances, including insulin, vitamins and steroids.
No. All syringe exchange services are completely free, regardless of insurance status.
Referrals to some medical or mental health services may require insurance. If you don’t have insurance, we have a dedicated team ready to assist you with obtaining the coverage that best fits your needs.
Enrollment in the syringe exchange is anonymous — you don’t have to provide your name or any contact information to be in the program.
Syringe exchanges have proven effective at reducing the transmission of blood-borne illness, especially HIV and Hepatitis C, among people who inject drugs. They are also a place where people who use substances can get connected to the medical care, substance use treatment, mental health care, and supportive services they need to meet their health and wellness goals, in a dignified and understanding environment.
We offer free Narcan/Naloxone kits to reverse the effects of overdose from opioids, such as heroin, fentanyl or prescription pain medications. We also offer test strips to detect fentanyl and xylazine.
We provide free training on how to use overdose prevention tools – training takes less than 10 minutes. Walk-ins to receive supplies and training are always welcome.
Stop by a Naloxone vending machine to get free Naloxone/Narcan and free test strips to detect xylazine and fentanyl. We have two locations, which are accessible from outside the building 24/7.
Our drop-in center in downtown Buffalo is here to support people who use drugs and are experiencing barriers to their health, housing or employment.
The drop-in center is a warm and safe place to shower, do laundry, have refreshments, share support with peers and professionals, and get connected to medical and supportive services that can help you be healthy and meet your goals.
Call our harm reduction team to learn more about the drop-in center
If you use substances and are interested in exploring ways to change your use, our team of medication providers, counselors, peer recovery specialists and nurses will work with you to make a treatment plan around your personal goals. We offer in person or virtual care, on your own terms.
We will help you address any roadblocks that are preventing you from reaching your goals or stressors that lead you to wanting to use, while helping you build a positive support system and learn new skills.
Your individual substance use treatment plan will be tailored to your needs and goals, and can include:
Learn more about substance use treatment services
We provide anti-stigma and harm reduction education at health fairs, community events and more throughout Western New York.
We also do advocacy work throughout the region to support initiatives that remove barriers and increase access to care for people who use drugs or substances.
Contact our harm reduction team to ask us to table or speak at a future event
Call our Harm Reduction and Syringe Exchange Program teams.
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Buffalo
Click to callMonday, Wednesday – Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Please call to make an appointment.
Syringe Exchange Program
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jamestown
Click to callMonday – Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Syringe Exchange Program hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (located in Suite 300A)