About

What is Safe Point?

Safe Point is a program of Equitas Health. We use comprehensive harm reduction to educate the community about safer drug use and fight the spread of infectious disease. We are committed to making the drug using community healthier while providing access to drug treatment enrollment.

As of October 2, 2018, Safe Point transitioned from a syringe access program to a syringe exchange program. Participants access new needles in exchange for used needles. We made this change to meet the requirements from our government funders. A syringe exchange program also supports Safe Point’s harm reduction mission and national harm reduction standards.

Safe Point runs on a first-come, first-served basis – we can serve up to 60 people each day. After we serve 60 people, we offer our emergency kit visits. We also offer emergency kit visits during the last 15 minutes of our hours.

What services does Safe Point offer?

Syringe exchange and safer injection use education
Safer use supplies, like sharps disposal containers
HIV and Hepatitis C testing (Wednesdays)
FREE Narcan (nasal naloxone)
Fentanyl test strips
Safer smoking and snorting supplies
Health navigation & case management
Linkage to medical care
Drug intervention treatment referrals & counseling
22G syringes for the trans community
Access to PrEP – an HIV prevention medication
Overdose prevention education

Please keep in mind, some services and materials may not be available at every session. Please call us at (614) 460-1406 or contact us if you have questions about when a particular service is available.

How does Safe Point’s syringe exchange work?

Safe Point is a hybrid exchange program. You get one new syringe for each used syringe that you return to us. You can also get 10 new syringes each visit without exchanging used syringes. When you return syringes to Safe Point, you help us to keep on giving new supplies to you and your community.

What to expect on your first visit

You will receive 100 syringes: You can also exchange each used syringe that you bring in for a new syringe.

For example, if you bring in 10 used syringes on your first visit, you will get 110 new syringes.
100 for first visit +10 for exchange= 110 new syringes

You will complete a full visit and risk assessment with one of our staff members.

Future visits

You can exchange each used syringe that you bring in for a new syringe. You also get 10 new syringes just for showing up!

For example, If you bring in 50 used syringes on your second visit, you will get 60 new syringes.
50 for exchange + 10 for showing up = 60 new syringe

Your monthly maximum is 280 total new syringes!

If you bring in more syringes than you have left in a month, we will “bank” your extra syringes for use in future months.

How much does this cost?

All Safe Point services are free.

Do I need an appointment?

You do not need an appointment or a referral to use our services. Since we only see 60 people on each service day, we suggest arriving early.

Do I have to give Safe Point my name to use these services?

No, you do not have to give us your name to use our services. You can remain anonymous.