Kimberly Lombard from Evergreen Health Services (left) met with members of the Jamestown City Council in February 2015 to discuss a proposed syringe exchange program for the city. In March the State Health Department gave approval for the program to move forward. Also pictured is City Council President Greg Rabb (center) and Councilman Brent Sheldon (right).
JAMESTOWN, NY – The plan to provide a syringe-exchange program has been given permission by the state to move forward.
That’s according to an article in Monday’s Jamestown Post-Journal, which says the state Health Department has given approval to Evergreen Health Services to expand its syringe-exchange program into Jamestown.
The exchange program provides a one-to-one exchange of used syringes for clean ones. The program allows for the safe disposal of used syringes and access to harm-reduction supplies like cotton, caps and alcohol wipes; overdose-prevention training; counseling; and a variety of safety and recovery workshops. In February, Kimberly Lombard attended a Jamestown City Council work session and provided details on the program.
The initiative will be housed with the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County at the Gateway Center at 31 Water St. Jamestown.
Several city officials have come out in support of the program, including both Mayor Sam Teresi and Public Safety Director and Police Chief Harry Snellings.
For more information, visit www.evergreenhs.org/southerntier.
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