Health Care Professionals - Needle Exchange Program
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What is "Cleanworks" Needle Exchange Program (NEP)?
Cleanworks NEP is a service of the Health Unit and the community for local injection drug users (IDUs). It provides sites where used needles can be exchanged for new needles and other drug use equipment.
Benefits of a NEP
To the IDU:
- Reduced needle sharing and therefore less chance of contracting or transmitting a blood borne pathogen like HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.
- Positive contact with the community and a potential source of help or referral to other community services.
To the Community:
- Safe disposal of used needles.
- Reduced incidents of blood borne pathogens in the community.
What happens at needle exchange sites?
- The person wishing to make an exchange brings used needles in a sharps container or a rigid plastic container with a tight fitting lid to an exchange site and disposes safely.
- The person making the exchange will receive new needles and other supplies needed to inject, to reduce the risk of transmitting a bloodborne pathogen.
- The person receives information about infections, safer injecting, community resources and referrals.
- No personal information is recorded.
Needle Exchange Sites in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties:
All Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit offices:
- 458 Laurier Blvd. Brockvillle, ON 613-345-5685
- 25 Johnston Street, Smiths Falls, ON 613-283-2740
- 8 Asa Street, Unit 2 Kemptvillle, ON 613-258-5941
- 79 Spring St. Unit. #3 Almonte, ON 613-256-1203
- 839 Stone St. N Gananoque, ON 613-382-4231
Community Sites:
- Gananoque Pharma Save, 220 King Street East, Gananoque, ON 613-382-1333
- Delta Community Pharmacy, 18 King Street, Delta, ON 613-928-2632
- For more information about the "Cleanworks" Needle Exchange Program
call: 1-800-660-5853
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Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program
The Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program provides harm reduction materials, as well as knowledge and support, to Ontario's needle exchange and harm reduction programs. This includes their Best Practices recommendations.
Other websites of interest
Canadian Centre of Substance Abuse
The Canadian Harm Reduction Network |
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