Syringe Services Programs

Syringe Services Programs

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Syringe services programs (SSP), also known as syringe exchange programs (SEP), have existed and been studied extensively in the United States since 1988.Community-based SSPs provide access to sterile needles and syringes free of cost, facilitate safe disposal of used needles and syringes and offer safer injection education. SSPs in Kentucky also provide participants with access to critical services and programs, including substance use disorder treatment programs; overdose prevention education; screening, care and treatment for HIV and viral hepatitis; prevention of mother-to-child transmission; hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination; screening for other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis; partner services; and other medical, social and mental health services.

In response to Senate Bill 192 enacted in 2015, the Kentucky Department for Public Health publishes guidelines for local health departments implementing harm reduction and SSPs.

SB 192 impacts KRS 218A.500

KY SEP Guidelines (Long Version)

KY SEP Guidelines (Short Version)

KYSSPMap Website 6.2.23.png

*Please contact Chase Barnes to revise SSP locations and hours.

Facts about SSPs

  • SSPs do not encourage the initiation of drug use nor do they increase the frequency of drug use among current users. (1)
  • SSPs reduce the spread of infections like HIV and viral hepatitis. (2)
  • SSPs do not increase community crime. Community residents may worry that syringe services locations will increase theft, sex trades, assaults, and an increase of contaminated needles on the street. However, studies have shown that SSPs actually decrease crime in the area they are located. (3)
  • SSPs increase community safety. Research shows that SSPs promote public health and safety by taking syringes off the streets and protecting law enforcement personnel from needle stick injuries, which can result in the transmission of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C. (4)
  • SSPs connect people to treatment. One study found that SSP participants are five times more likely to enter a drug treatment program than nonparticipants. (5)

Recommended Best Practices for Effective SSPs in the United States

SSPs are central to reducing disease and other health burdens among people who inject illicit drugs. Three decades of research has demonstrated the effectiveness of SSPs in preventing HIV and other blood-borne infections, as well as connecting people who inject drugs with a range of vital medical and social services and supports. The Recommended Best Practices report from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with the Drug Policy Alliance summarizes the consensus among United States SSP experts of the underlying principles and programmatic elements that enable or constrain SSP effectiveness. Effective SSPs have the support of local governing bodies and match sound operational characteristics with responsiveness to the unique features of their host communities. New or expanding SSPs may benefit from technical assistance from the considerable expertise of those experienced in operating SSPs around the country. The panel highlighted operational characteristics that are critical for effective SSPs, and measures to be avoided because they undermine the primary goal of SSPs: to make new, sterile syringes available to Persons Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs).

Characteristics of Effective SSPs (6

Promote secondary syringe distribution

  • Train and support peer educators
  • Do not impose limits on number of syringes (doing so promotes sharing of needles)
  • Maximize responsiveness to characteristics of the local PWID population
  • Adapt planning activities and service modalities to subgroup needs
  • Provide or coordinate the provision of other health and social services
  • Used Syringes are Dangerous
  • How to Clean Your Syringes 
  • Include diverse community stakeholders in creating a social and legal environment supportive of SSPs
  • SSP Practices to Avoid (6)
  • Supplying single-use syringes
  • Limiting frequency of visits and number of syringes
  • Requiring one-for-one exchange (results in sharing of needles)
  • Imposing geographic limits
  • Restricting syringe volume with unnecessary maximums
  • Requiring identifying documents
  • Requiring unnecessary data collection

Naloxone (Narcan) Availability

Single Signature Naloxone Prescription: Purpose
Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to help reduce morbidity and mortality associated with opioid overdose by dispensing naloxone to at-risk patients or their friends and family members, and educating them on the proper use of these products. This non-patient specific prescription (standing order) authorized by the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) establishes the protocol that allows Kentucky-licensed naloxone protocol trained pharmacists to dispense naloxone to at-risk patients and third parties in pharmacies located in Kentucky.

Process

Print the form below to be registered in the KDPH program. This non patient-specific prescription is valid for one year from the date authorized.
Download and Print the Single Signature Prescription Form

Naloxone

Naloxone (Narcan) is a prescription medication that can reverse an overdose that is caused by an opioid drug. When administered during an overdose, naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing. It can be given as an injection into a muscle or as a nasal spray.

Where to get Naloxone in Ke​ntucky

Don't Let Them Die

Lethal overdoses claimed more than 1,400 lives in Kentucky last year, a 7.4 percent increase from 2015. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin, was a factor in 623 deaths, while heroin contributed to 456 deaths. The highest number of fatalities occurred among people ages 35 to 44, followed by ages 45 to 54. Kentucky currently has the third highest overdose rate in the country and a recent study showed 80 percent of heroin users start with prescription opioids.

State government sponsors a website with information about opioids, treatment and the overdose antidote, naloxone. Officials plan to continue updating the website as new initiatives are announced.

Vulnerable Counties and Jurisdictions Experiencing or At-Risk of Outbreaks

For additional information on counties and jurisdictions that have been identified at-risk by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, please visit: CDC Vulnerable County Data



Documentation

Kentucky SSP Locations and Hours

Please contact Chase Barnes ​to revise SSP locations and hours.

Click on a county to expand the selection​

Lake Cumberland District HD
801 Westlake Dr
Columbia, KY 42728
F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Barren River District HD
318 W Washington St
Glasgow, KY 42142
Th 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Bath County Health Center
8 Oberline St
Owingsville, KY 40360
M 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.​

Bourbon County HD
341 E Main St
Paris, KY 40361
T 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Th 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Ashland Boyd County HD
2924 Holt St
Ashland, KY 41101
T/Th 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.​

Boyle County Health Center
1st floor
448 S 3rd St.
Danville, KY 40422
M 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
T/W/Th 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
F 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.​

Bracken County Health Department
429 Frankfort St
Brooksville, KY 41004
W 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Also by appointment​

Breathitt County HD
955 Hwy 30 W
Jackson, KY 41339
M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Northern Kentucky HD
Campbell County HD (Mobile Unit)
St Elizabeth Healthcare Urgent Care
1359 N GrandAve.
Newport, KY 41075
T 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.​

Carter County HD
300 W Main St
Grayson, KY 41143
M/W/F 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.​

Christian County HD
1700 Canton St
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
T 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Also by appointment​

Clark County HD
400 Professional Ave.
Winchester, KY 40391
F 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.​

330 Shamrock Rd
Manchester, KY 40962
M-Th 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
F 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
(same as clinic hours)​

Cadillac Motel and Restaurant
1315 West 2nd Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
F 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.


Owensboro-Daviess County Community Health Center
1600 Breckenridge St
Owensboro, KY 42301
M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Elliot County Health Center
109 David Blair Blvd.
Sandy Hook, KY 41171
W 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.​

Mobile Locations Vary (Contact Estill County Health Department)
Th 1:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m.

Lexington-Fayette County Health Department
Dr. Rice C. Leach Community Room
650 Newtown Pike
Lexington, KY 40508
M 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
W 3 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Th 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.​

Floyd County Health Department
283 Goble Street
Prestonburg, KY 41653

M 3 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
W 10 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.​

Mobile Unit (various locations)

Th 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Franklin County Health Department
100 Glenns Creek Rd
Frankfort, KY 40601
M-F noon - 4 p.m.​

Garrand County Health Department
89 Farra Dr
Lancaster, KY 40444
M/W/Th 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
T 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
F 8 a.m. - noon​

Grant County Health Center
234 Barnes Rd
Williamstown, KY 41097
W 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.​

Graves County Health Center
416 Central Ave.
Mayfield, KY 42066
M 1 - 4 p.m.
W 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Greenup County Health Department
806 Seaton Ave., #1
Greenup, KY 41144
W/Th 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.​​

WEDCO District Health Department
Harrison County Health Center
364 Oddville Ave.
Cynthiana, KY 41031
Th 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.​

​​Barren River District Health Department
Hart County Health Department
500 AA Whitman Lane
Mundfordville, KY 42765
T 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​​

Henderson County Health Center
472 Klutey Park Plaza
Henderson, KY 42420
M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Hopkins County Health Department
412 N Kentucky Ave.
Madisonville, KY 42431
M 9 a.m. – noon
W 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.​

Jackson County Health Department
456 Main St
McKee, KY 40447
M-Th 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
F 8 a.m. - 11: 30 a.m.
(same as clinic hours)​

Jefferson County - Beulah Presbyterian Church
6704 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40291
T 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Jefferson County – Hazelwood
(Just past St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital)
4696 HazelwoodAve.
Louisville, KY 40214
W 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Jefferson County - St. John Center
700 E Muhammad Ali Blvd
Louisville, KY 40202
T 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Jefferson County / Louisville Metro Dept. of
Public Health andWellness
400 E Gray St
Louisville, KY 40202
M/F 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
W 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Jefferson County - Redeemer Lutheran Church
(Corner of 37th and River Park)
3640 River Park Dr
Louisville, KY 40211
M 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

Jefferson County
Behind Fire Station
4603 Cane Run Rd
Louisville, KY 40216

Th 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.


Jefferson County - Sweet Evening Breeze
801 Barret Avenue, Suite 211
Louisville, KY 40204
Th 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

​Jefferson County - Portland Family Health Center
(Parking Lot)
2215 Portland Ave.
Louisville, KY 40258
F 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.​​


Jefferson County - Louisville Metro SW Gov. Ctr.
7219 Dixie Hwy
Louisville, KY 40258
Sat 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Jessamine County Health Department
210 E Walnut St
Nicholasville, KY 40356
M 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
T-Th 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
F 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.​


Jessamine County Health Department
(Mobile Unit)
420 Hartley Drive
Nicholasville, KY 40356
M 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

​ 

​Jessamine County Health Department
(Mobile Unit)
202 North Main Street
Nicholasville, KY 40356
Th 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Northern Kentucky Health Department
Kenton County Mobile Unit
St. Elizabeth Healthcare Urgent Care
1500 James Simpson Jr Way
Covington, KY 41011
Th 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.​​

Knott County Health Department
880 W Main Street
Hindman, KY 41822
M/Th 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.​

Knox County Health Department
261 Hospital Dr
Barbourville, KY 40906
T/Th 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.​

LaRue County Health Center
215 E Main St
Hodgenville, KY 42748​

T 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Laurel County Health Department
525 Whitley Street
London, KY 40741
T/Th 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.​

Kentucky River District
Lee County Health Department
48 Center St.
Beattyville, KY 41211
M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Kentucky River District
Leslie County Health Department
78 Maple St
Hyden, KY 41749
T/Th 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.​​

Kentucky River District
Letcher County Health Department
115 E Main St
Whitesburg, KY 41858
W 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
F 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.​

Lincoln County Health Department
44 Health Way
Stanford, KY 40484.
T/Th 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Madison County Health Department - Berea
1001 Ace Dr
Berea, KY 40403

M 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

T/W 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 

Madison County Health Department - Richmond
214 Boggs Ln
Richmond, KY 40475
M 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

T/W/Th/F 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 ​

For information on Mobile Unit Route, please contact 859-314-0307.

Magoffin County Health Department
119 E Mountain Pkwy
Salyersville, KY 41465
M 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
T/W/Th 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Marion County Health Center
516 N Spalding Ave.
Lebanon, KY 40033
W 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.​

Martin County Health Department
136 Rockcastle Rd
Inez, KY 41224
M/T/Th/F 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
W 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.​

Buffalo Trace District Health Department
Mason County Health Department
130 E Second St
Maysville, KY 41056
M-F 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.​

Lake Cumberland District Health Department
McCreary County Health Department
119 Medical Ln
Whitley, KY 42653
M-Th 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Mercer County Health Department
900 N College St
Harrodsburg, KY 40330
M-F 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.​

Muhlenberg County Health Department
105 Legion Dr
Central City, KY 42330
M-F 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.​ , 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Nelson County Health Department
325 S Third St
Bardstown, KY 40004
Th 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.​

Owen County Health Center
1005 Highway 22 East
Owenton, KY 40359
M/W 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Th 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
F 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.​

Kentucky River District
Owsley County Health Department
501 Highway 28
Booneville, KY 41314
M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Pendleton County Health Center
329 KY-330
Falmouth, KY 41040
M/W 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Th 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
F 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.​

Kentucky River District Perry County Health Department
239 Lovern St
Hazard, KY 41701
M/T/W/F 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.​

Pike County Health Department
119 River Dr
Pikeville, KY 41501
M 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
F 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

 

Pike County Health Department
- Belfry (Mobile Unit)
25320 US 119, #101
Belfry, KY 41514
T 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.


Pike County Health Department
- Elkhorn City (Mobile Unit)
Peter Creek Church
301 Hatcher St
Elkhorn City, KY 41522
Th 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.


Pike County Health Department
- Phelps (Mobile Unit)
3891 KY-194
Phelps, KY 41553
W 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.


Powell County Health Department
376 N Main St
Stanton, KY 40380
M 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Th 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.​

Lake Cumberland District Health Department
Pulaski County Health Department
45 Roberts St
Somerset, KY 42501
M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Buffalo Trace District Health Department
Robertson County Health Department
45 McDowell St
Mt. Olivet, KY 41064
W 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.​

Rowan County Health Department
730 W Main St
Morehead, KY 40351
T 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.​

Lake Cumberland District Health Department
Russell County Health Department
211 Fruit of the Loom Dr
Jamestown, KY 42629
M-T 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

WEDCO District Health Department
Scott County Health Center
300 E Washington St
Georgetown, KY 40324​

M 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Lake Cumberland District Health Department
Taylor County Health Department
1880 N Bypass Rd
Campbellsville, KY 42718
M/T/Th/F 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.​​​

Todd County Health Department
617 W Main St
Elkton, KY 42220
M-F 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.​

Barren River District Health Department
Warren County Health Department
1109 State St
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Th 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Warren County Health Department (Mobile Unit)
426 East Riverview Dr
Bowling Green, KY 42101
M 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.​

Whitley County Health Department
368 Penny Ln
Williamsburg, KY 40769
T/W/Th 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.​

Mobile Mondays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

*Call 606-549-3380 for weekly mobile locations

Kentucky River District
Wolfe County Health Department
145 KY-11
Campton, KY 40380
M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.​

Woodford County Health Department
229 N Main St
Versailles, KY 40383
M/T/Th 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
W 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
F 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.​






Additional Information

Contact Information

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