HIV Prevention for People Who Use Drugs (PRO)

HVCS’ drug treatment program, Project ReachOut (PRO), works to facilitate the entry of people who use drugs into drug treatment services. We view this service as an important measure in reducing this population’s risk for HIV, hepatitis C, and other infectious diseases.

PRO educates clients and prepares them for the treatment experience and in some cases accompanies them to an intake appointment. In addition, we provide HIV screenings, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing, and referrals to other needed medical and social services.

PRO has a mobile unit that provides services in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties.

In addition to referrals to drug treatment, PRO staff provides referrals to clients on an as-needed basis for other social service needs, including: referrals to medical and behavioral healthcare; referral to housing programs; referrals to PrEP, SEP, Narcan, ESAP, hepatitis A and B vaccinations; referrals to ongoing case management.

JANUARY 2021 Update: PRO now provides second-tier syringe exchange services. Staff are approved and equipped to hand out and receive syringes wherever they operate. Read more about it here.

In PRO we stress the importance of harm reduction–that is, meeting people where they are at, no matter what stage–to work with them to address and prevent health complications associated with unsafe injection practices, continued drug use and sexual practices. Harm reduction programs preserve and improve people’s lives. Harm reduction also calls for non-judgmental, non-coercive provision of services and resources for people who use drugs…it affirms that drug users are the primary agents of reducing the harm of their substance use. We encourage all clients to connect with a healthcare provider and other vital serves.

Please contact: 914-610-9843

We Supply:
• Fit packs (for safer injection practices)
• Safer Sex kits (including male condoms, female condoms, lubricant, finger cots, dental dams)
• Snacks
• Water
• ESAP Vouchers
• Hygiene Kits
• Incentives

We Provide:
• Services to facilitate the entry of active drug users into drug treatment services
• Enhanced outreach activities
• Second-tier syringe exchange
• Opioid overdose prevention (Narcan training)
• Information on how to prevent the transmission of infections
• Information on improving health
• HIV testing (referral for treatment and partner services as needed)
• Chlamydia testing (referral for treatment as needed)
• Gonorrhea testing (referral for treatment as needed)
• Counseling about PrEP and PEP
• Linkage and navigation for hepatitis C testing
• Harm reduction education
• Social services referrals as needed
• Transportation services to substance abuse treatment

Information on Narcan and opioid overdose prevention
Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) is a medication called an “opioid antagonist” used to counter the effects of opioid overdose, for example morphine and heroin overdose. Specifically, naloxone is used in opioid overdoses to counteract life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system, allowing an overdose victim to breathe normally. Naloxone is a nonscheduled (i.e., non-addictive), prescription medication. Naloxone only works if a person has opioids in their system; the medication has no effect if opioids are absent. Naloxone may be injected in the muscle, vein or under the skin or sprayed into the nose.

For more information please visit: http://www.drugpolicy.org/resource/911-good-samaritan-explaining-new-yorks-fatal-overdose-prevention-law

NYS 911 Good Samaritan Law
New York’s new 911 Good Samaritan Law went into effect on September 18, 2011. This policy seeks to encourage people to call 911 when witnessing or experiencing an alcohol or other drug related overdose by providing a limited shield from charge and prosecution for possession of narcotics, marijuana, and, for minors, alcohol. They policy also provides limited immunity from arrest when witness(es) who call 911 or the overdose victim poses residual or very small amounts of drugs.

For more information please visit: http://www.drugpolicy.org/resource/911-good-samaritan-explaining-new-yorks-fatal-overdose-prevention-law