As a public health professional with over 10 years of experience, Katie is passionate about informing decision-making that impacts the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Brain H. Wetchler, DO, is an internal medicine physician working in private practice. 

Community-based needle exchange programs (NEPs) provide clean needles or syringes to people who inject drugs (PWID). They are also called syringe service programs or syringe exchange programs. Collection of used syringes and other harm reduction services to address social, medical, and mental health needs are also provided.

Read on for more information on needle exchange programs, how to access them, and where to find support for substance abuse.

People in need of needle exchange can go to an NEP location and pick up sterile syringes. Locations may be physical storefronts, but others are mobile, such as distributing from a van or the supply bag of NEP outreach workers.

Many programs allow you to take as many supplies as you need, without restrictions or requirements, after returning used syringes.

Safer use supplies, information, and services may also be available to reduce disease risk and harm related to injecting drugs. Program staff or caseworkers may be able to talk you through what is available and make referrals for care.

Key research findings and takeaways about NEPs include:

Reducing disease risk is a primary aim of needle exchange programs.

Sharing used needles that may be contaminated with infected blood can contribute to the transmission of infections from one person to another, including HIV and hepatitis. In fact, 1 in 10 people who inject drugs is diagnosed with HIV.

Safe use supplies (including sterile cookers and tourniquets ), safer sex materials (such as condoms), and first aid items for wound care are typically made available to further reduce disease risk.

NEPs also provide links to substance use treatment for people who want to quit.

NEPs may provide a range of services and resources based on community needs, such as:

There are a number of benefits of NEP services, including:

In 30 years of research on NEPs, findings have not found that NEPs increased:

People who inject drugs reap the most benefit from accessing NEPs. However, NEPs are not legal in all states. As of this writing, 39 states allow or locally permit NEPs.

Harm reduction strategies are rooted in supporting anyone who may need them. Others may seek out services at NEPs, such as people who:

There are over 400 NEPs in the United States. To access one near you, some resources include:

A number of resources can help you find local treatment, including:

Needle exchange programs reduce the risk of disease associated with injection drug use and link people with substance abuse treatment. Services include providing sterile syringes, collecting used syringes, and referrals to treatment. NEPs are legal in many states, but not all.

The programs are safe and effective at reducing rates of HIV and hepatitis among PWID, reducing syringe waste, and increasing the likelihood that participants reduce or quit using or seek out treatment for substance abuse. People seeking supplies and information about overdose prevention and safer sex may also use the programs.

Because there is stigma around substance use and laws governing NEPs, it can be hard to navigate available services. These programs provide harm reduction services without judgment to address the needs of people who inject drugs. They aim to meet people where they are to reduce the risk associated with injection drug use and support if and when a person who uses is ready to make a change. Whether you use injectable drugs or are supporting a loved one who does, these programs can provide safe and effective resources.

Of the potential concerns around needle exchange programs, research has found no association with an increase in crime or drug use. Research has demonstrated a reduction—not an increase—in syringe litter in cities with an NEP.

Needle exchange programs are legal or allowed in 39 states. However, states vary regarding whether syringes are included in drug paraphernalia laws, whether the programs are expressly prohibited, and whether participants are protected from prosecution due to returning needles with drug residue.

Researchers have found that needle exchange programs are safe and effective. Among people who inject drugs (PWID), they are associated with a reduction in syringe litter and HIV and hepatitis infections, as well as reducing or stopping use, and/or seeking treatment.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Syringe services program technical package.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Summary of information on the safety and effectiveness of syringe services programs (ssps).

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Syringe service programs (ssp) factsheet.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV and injection drug use.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Syringe services program (ssp) faqs.

National Institutes on Drug Abuse. Syringe services program.

amfAR Opioid & Health Indicators Database. Syringe exchange program legality.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Syringe programs faqs.

Fernández-Viña MH, Prood NE, Herpolsheimer A, Waimberg J, Burris S. State laws governing syringe services programs and participant syringe possession, 2014-2019. Public Health Rep. 2020;135(1_suppl):128S-137S. doi:10.1177/0033354920921817

National Harm Reduction Coalition. Syringe access in your state.

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