A syringe-exchange program could be starting soon in Jamestown.

Kimberly Lombard, Evergreen Health Services senior director of grants management and quality, said the syringe-exchange program – known as Project S.A.F.E – should be operational in July. In March, Evergreen Health Services’ syringe-exchange program received approval from state officials to expand into Jamestown. Previously, the only exchange program in Western New York was the one Evergreen operates in Buffalo.

Evergreen – with the support of city and county officials – applied with the state Health Department to expand its syringe-exchange program into Jamestown. This new initiative is designed to be operated in partnership with a number of other human service agencies and would be housed with the Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County at the Gateway Center, located at 31 Water St., Suite 7, Jamestown.

Lombard said they are in the process of hiring and training staff for the program. She said they will have two full-time employees running the program. She said it is not known how many people the program will provide service to in the Jamestown area. She added Evergreen employees appreciate the support they have received from local officials in getting the program started in Jamestown.

”The community has been very supportive of the need for this program and we welcome that support,” she said.

The syringe exchange program provides a one-to-one exchange of used syringes for clean ones to individuals who inject any substance, including insulin, steroids, heroin, cocaine or other street drugs. The program allows for the safe disposal of used syringes and access to harm-reduction supplies like cotton, caps and alcohol wipes; overdose-prevention training; counseling; and a variety of safety and recovery workshops.

Participants in the program will register and be given an anonymous card to identify themselves. They will bring in used syringes during exchange hours and will receive an equal number of clean syringes.

This provides incentive to bring in all used syringes, reducing dirty needles in the community.

One of the goals of the program is to reduce the transference of blood-borne illness between IV drug users, including HIV and Hepatitis C. A second goal is to link people to treatment when they are ready for it. The third goal is to keep used syringes off the streets.

For more information, visit www.evergreenhs.org/southerntier. Anyone who wants information or wants to link someone to the syringe-exchange program should call 664-7855.