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Contact Information
County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Public Health Policy
Anna Long
241 N. Figueroa St. Room 306 C
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 240-8036
Fax: (213) 975-1273
Syringe Exchange Program

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health

Syringe Exchange Program (SEP)

The sharing of used and contaminated needles and syringes is a major mode of transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood-born diseases among injection users. In an effort to prevent the transmission of these diseases among an estimate of 152,000 IDUs in Los Angeles County, the LAC Syringe Exchange Program provides participants access to sterile needles and syringes, wound care, HIV counseling, drug treatment referrals and other harm-reduction services.

Benefits of a syringe exchange program:

  • Reduces the spread of blood-borne diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C among IDUs and the community;
  • Reduces the sharing and reuse of contaminated syringes and needles by reducing their average circulation time;
  • Reduces the total health costs associated with HIV and/or Hepatitis treatments;
  • Provides participants access to health, counseling, and drug treatment referral services ;
  • Provides a safe method for collecting and disposing of used sharps;

How to find a syringe exchange location:

Please call 1-888-LANEX-85 to locate a syringe exchange program nearest you.

The Los Angeles County Syringe Exchange Program is partnering with the following agencies to provide harm reduction services to our residents:

Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP, Inc.)
Bienestar
Clean Needles Now (CNN)
Common Ground
Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC)

Drug Treatment Resources:

If you would like information about alcohol or drugs related problems and available treatment options in Los Angeles County, please call
1-800-564-6600
. A representative from the local Community Assessment Service Center will help you find the right treatment program.

 

 
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