The sharing of needles and other paraphernalia for injection drug use is a leading cause of HIV/Hepatitis C infection. For more than ten years, Tapestry Health's Needle Exchange Program, located in Northampton, has been highly successful in reaching injection drug users and engaging them in effective education and counseling. Last year alone, we removed more than 71,000 dirty needles from circulation. Tapestry Health's Needle Exchange is the only program of its kind in Western Massachusetts and one of only four in the state.
The Needle Exchange provides sterile syringes to injection drug users, reducing the reuse of needles and limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS in our community. It also provides HIV counseling and testing, Hepatitis A and B vaccinations, and education about preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The program also helps drug users to address their addictions by providing:
- Substance abuse counseling
- Transportation to drug treatment programs
- Harm reduction education
- Assistance in accessing health care and drug treatment
- Help with enrollment in detox, methadone, and residential and outpatient counseling programs
Harm Reduction
Tapestry Health's Needle Exchange Program operates within the context of a harm reductionphilosophy, which views drug use and high-risk behavior within the context of a public health framework.
Harm reduction utilizes a non-judgmental approach when working with injection drug users on issues of health and drug use/abuse. This approach views HIV as a greater danger to individuals and society than substance abuse. Priority is given to reducing the risk of HIV transmission rather than focusing exclusively on abstinence from drugs. In harm reduction a drug user is not expected to embrace a goal of abstinence in order to receive services.
Tapestry Health's harm reduction program is staffed by highly skilled individuals who have received extensive training in HIV/AIDS; addiction issues; and safety issues, including procedures for handling potentially infectious injection equipment, disposal of hazardous waste, and control of exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Staff members receive cultural diversity training, including sensitivity to the needs of people from communities of color, women, lesbians, gay men, and sex workers.
Tapestry Health's Harm Reduction Services include:
- Free and anonymous HIV/ AIDS counseling and testing
- Viral hepatitis education
- Individual and group education on HIV and viral hepatitis
- Free safer sex supplies (condoms, lube, dental dams, etc.)
- Bleach kits and other drug-related HIV-prevention supplies
- Instruction on vein care
- Hepatitis A and B vaccinations
- Flu shots
- Anonymous needle exchange (Northampton only)
- Overdose prevention
- Referrals to other health and human services, such as drug treatment, counseling, family planning, birth control, and residential programs
- Outreach
HIV Testing
Tapestry Health's needle exchange program also provides HIV counseling and testing. We now offer the OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV Test, an FDA-approved oral test that uses a mouth swab to detect the virus. Test results are available while you wait. There is a sliding scale fee for the test. The test is free for those who are high risk or those who qualify based on income. Our counselors will help you understand your risk of infection and work with you to keep you safe and healthy. All counselors are professionally trained, supportive, and non-judgmental. The testing can be conducted anonymously or confidentially.
Anonymous HIV Testing Services
Confidential HIV Testing Services
- Clients provide personal identifiers (name and address)to the health-care provider.
- The health-care provider and client usually have an ongoing confidential relationship.
- Clients can be given written verification of HIV test results.
- Clients can give written permission for the health-care provider to share their HIV test results with a third party.
- Clients are contacted when they fail to return for scheduled counseling appointments.
- Enhanced counseling is usually provided in a follow-up session after a client receives HIV test results. The session focuses on helping the client deal with the impact of a positive and/or negative test result and identifies other needed services.
- Clients are provided Partner Counseling and referrals.
- HIV-positive clients are given referrals or appointments for HIV primary care services, partner referrals, and special counseling for pregnant women.
- HIV-negative clients are given referrals to individual counseling or groups that will help them further identify and lower their HIV risks.
Free Anonymous or Confidential HIV Testing
The state and federal government provide funding for anonymous and confidential HIV testing of high risk individuals through our targeted HIV prevention and education programs.
You are eligible for free HIV testing if you:
- are an injection drug user or have ever injected illegal drugs
- are a man that has had sex with another man
- have had sex since your last HIV test with a person who was HIV-positive
