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    Acting Secretary of Health Visits Prevention Point Pittsburgh to Highlight Syringe Service Program, Call for Statewide Expansion

    February 03, 2022

    Pittsburgh, PA - Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Secretary Keara Klinepeter today visited Prevention Point Pittsburgh, a nonprofit focused on reduction of harms associated with drug use, to discuss syringe service programs and the important role they play in the drug treatment process.  

    “Thanks to syringe service programs like this many Pennsylvanians have found their bridge to treatment and social services,” Klinepeter said. “We want to reduce the number of drug overdose deaths. We need to use every tool at our disposal and Prevention Point’s success makes it a good model to enhance and expand across the commonwealth.” 

    Nationwide, syringe services programs are also associated with a significant reduction in injection-related HIV and Hepatitis C.  

    “Prevention Point Pittsburgh’s 26 years of experience operating a syringe services program and other harm reduction services in Southwestern Pennsylvania demonstrates the ongoing need for such resources in every corner of the commonwealth,” said Aaron Arnold, executive director of Prevention Point Pittsburgh. “Prevention Point Pittsburgh applauds every and any effort including legislation sponsored by state Representatives Sara Innamorato and Jim Struzzi to expand access to sterile equipment and information regarding safer substance use strategies.” 

    The Wolf Administration worked closely with members of the General Assembly to develop Senate Bill 926 and House Bill 2264 which would allow additional organizations outside of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to engage in this work. Currently, there are more than 400 Syringe Service Programs are currently operating in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. 

    Multiple studies show that access to clean syringes reduces HIV, hepatitis B and C transmission, and other blood-borne pathogens in people who inject drugs. Syringe services programs also increase public safety and protect law enforcement and first responders by properly disposing of used syringes.  

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) individuals who participate in syringe service programs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment. 

     

    MEDIA CONTACT: Mark O'Neill - ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov

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