
With a harm reduction
philosophy, MCAVHN’s syringe
exchange program seeks to reduce the spread of HIV/HCV among persons
who share drug equipment (works, cookers, syringes, cotton, etc).
Syringes can be exchanged
through a variety of trained volunteers throughout the county.
Syringes are also available at the Ukiah office.
MCAVHN
also provides training on overdose and overdose deaths among injection
drug users. The training focuses on skills of person who inject
drugs on how to reduce overdoses and overdose deaths. The program
also supplies Narcan, a proven antidote for heroin and other opiate
drugs derived from or resembling opium. Used in the US since 1965,
Narcan unlike some antidotes has no effects on its own. It only
reverses the effects of opiates for about an hour. This means
injecting Narcan into a vein or muscle can take away the opiate part
of the overdose within minutes and restore the person’s breathing and
consciousness.
To learn more about this
program contact:
MCAVHN at (707)
462-1932 or email
mcavn@mcavn.org.