By:
Melissa Federman, Treuhaft Chair for Health Planning
Sam Sobul, Community Solutions Policy Intern
In March, The Center for Community Solutions released a report on Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) in Ohio. The report profiles programs that were created since 2016, when we wrote on a new legal environment that allowed the services and programs to develop.
Throughout the fall of 2018, Community Solutions intern Sam Sobul interviewed staff members at the 10 new programs, seeking information on their planning processes, collaborations, operations and services. At the time we were aware other counties were in the process of planning SSPs, but not yet prepared to announce them. This spring, the brand-new programs – in Lorain and Clark counties – spoke to us and have been added to the report. Here’s a snapshot of those programs.
This spring, the brand-new programs – in Lorain and Clark counties – spoke to us and have been added to the report. Here’s a snapshot of those programs.
Clark County
Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD) began operating its SSP, One2One, in September 2018 out of a local soup kitchen. The exchange was co-founded by CCCHD and McKinley Hall, a local nonprofit that provides addiction services. The program grew out of a recommendation from the Clark County Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment Coalition and required about one year to plan.
In addition to sterile injection supplies, the program also offers naloxone distribution and training; referrals to primary care, mental health and substance abuse treatment; hygiene kits; and sexually transmitted disease information packs.
Most of the resources for the program are contributed in-kind, with staff support provided by McKinley Hall and CCCHD providing supplies. It runs from 1‒3 p.m. on Wednesdays. In addition to sterile injection supplies, the program also offers naloxone distribution and training; referrals to primary care, mental health and substance abuse treatment; hygiene kits; and sexually transmitted disease information packs. Testing for Hepatitis C and HIV is available on the first Wednesday of each month. Along with McKinley Hall, Mercy Reach – another rehabilitation organization – also has representatives at the SSP every Wednesday. In the first month of operation, all services were utilized by clients.
Lorain County
Lorain County’s SSP, LINC (Local Initiative to Network Compassion) of Lorain County Harm Reduction Clinic, launched in February of 2019. The program is administered by the Nord Center, a local behavioral health clinic, and is open every other Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Wellington.
The need for a harm reduction clinic in Lorain County was apparent when the Cleveland-based syringe exchange reported serving clients from Lorain County on a weekly basis
The need for a harm reduction clinic in Lorain County was apparent when the Cleveland-based syringe exchange reported serving clients from Lorain County on a weekly basis. To begin the process of creating a program in Lorain, Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) secured a “Determination of Need” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in October 2017. Subsequently, a collaboration between LCPH, the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ADAS) Board of Lorain County, philanthropic foundations, law enforcement and other local health and human services organizations resulted in the creation of the county-wide harm reduction clinic.
The clinic was set up in conjunction with the existing LINC program in Wellington, also created by a local coalition, to provide outreach to individuals with substance use disorders and their families. The LINC program compassionately serves the community through a no wrong door approach with local partner agencies.
A slew of local health and social service organizations partner to provide comprehensive support services: HIV and Hepatitis C testing, immunizations and naloxone; reproductive health services; wound care; counseling, and connections to substance abuse treatment and recovery services.
The LINC Harm Reduction Clinic is primarily sustained through in-kind employee time and materials from collaborative members. Supplies and safe disposal are also provided through in-kind donations of member organizations and the NORD Family Foundation additionally provided a grant to support the program.
The clinic provides clean needles and fentanyl test strips to clients. A slew of local health and social service organizations partner to provide comprehensive support services: HIV and Hepatitis C testing, immunizations and naloxone; reproductive health services; wound care; counseling, and connections to substance abuse treatment and recovery services. Peer support and transportation to the harm reduction clinic are also available.
For more information about these programs, check out our updated report.
