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.

• LISTEN: City Councils Learns More About Proposed Needle Exchange 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.

During Monday’s council work session, Kimberly Lombard from Evergreen Health Services was on hand to provide details about her organization, which is based out of Buffalo but also has an office in Jamestown.

She said Evergreen Health Services wants to expand its syringe exchange program into Jamestown. She says the primary reason is that such a program will help to prevent the spread of HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases that can be transmitted through the sharing of needles while doing recreational drugs. Another reason for the syringe exchange program is to help link addicts to treatment when they are ready for it.

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

This new initiative is designed to be operated in partnership with other human service agencies and would be housed with the Mental Health Association In Chautauqua County at the Gateway Center, located at 31 Water St., Suite 7, Jamestown. It is expected to get underway by this summer, pending approval from the State Health Department.

Both Mayor Sam Teresi and Public Safety Director and Police Chief Harry Snellings have come out in support of the program.

Kimberly Lombard from Evergreen Health Services (left) talks with members of the Jamestown City Council about a syringe exchange program proposed for the city. City Council President Greg Rabb (center) and Councilman Brent Sheldon (right) are also shown in the photo.