Madison County Harm Reduction

The Madison County Health Department operates a Syringe Services Program (SSP) to reduce the spread of blood borne diseases such as Hepatitis C and HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) by providing a scientifically proven public health service that adopts and utilizes the best practices established for harm reduction in this population. Its goals include:

• Address the spread of blood borne diseases among PWID through best practices in harm reduction.
• Reduce the amount of used syringes disposed of in the community.
• Act as an access point for individuals to obtain referrals and information on drug treatment and rehabilitation, health service, insurance enrollment, counseling, and other social services that may be available.
• Provide education on prevention of opioid overdose and education and instruction on the proper use of naloxone (either in person or by referral to a pharmacy that offers naloxone without a prescription), to reduce overdoses and increase emergency treatment for those who may be in settings where its use may be required to prevent death.
• Safeguard all participants and assure that PWIDs are treated with respect and without stigma.
• Assure that all issues that require a referral for services are addressed in a systematic and confidential manner.