Our Syringe Service Program is designed to provide harm reduction services to these communities across Los Angeles County to improve quality of life and address health disparities.

By interacting with people who use drugs, providing access to safer use supplies, conducting overdose prevention/response training, and  conducting overdose prevention/response training, we are helping to:

• Reduce the number of HIV and viral Hepatitis C infections in Los Angeles County
• Decrease the number of  preventable fatal overdoses among people who use drugs
• Reduce stigma surrounding drug use.
• Give marginalized communities access to healthcare and the tools they need to take control of their health

We offer syringe services at a center-based site, street-based mobile sites, and backpack outreach. Our Syringe Service Program staff are trained in harm reduction principles and provide a compassionate, safe space for individuals to feel welcome and free of judgment.

Our Syringe Service Program offers:

• HIV & Hepatitis C testing and linkage to medical treatment
• Medication for Opioid Use Disorders
• Naloxone Kits and Overdose Prevention/Response Training
• Fentanyl information & test strips
• Safer Use Instructions
• Mental Health and Substance Misuse Counseling
• Abscess and Wound Care services
• Other services and information that you may need

Our Syringe Service Program is currently available four days of the week across five different sites (see schedule below). A mobile van allows the Bienestar Syringe Service team to travel to street locations and clinics, meet participants and deliver these important services.

Schedule of Street-Based Mobile Sites:

Sunday

Harbor City
820 Lomita Blvd
Harbor City, CA 90710
White Van, up McCoy Ave
11:00am – 1:00pm

Monday

Coastal Recovery Center
117 E Harry Bridges Blvd
Wilmington, CA 90744
10:00am – 12:00pm

Highland Park
5982 Arroyo Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90042
3:30pm – 5:00pm
At the entrance of Arroyo Seco Tiny Home Village

Wednesday

Long Beach
MacArthur Park
1321 E Anaheim St
Long Beach, CA 90813
10:00am – 12:00pm

Thursday

Lincoln Heights
Corner of Alhambra Ave & Johnston St
Los Angeles, CA 90031
3:30pm – 5:00pm

Harm Reduction and Syringe Exchange Programs

Harm reduction is a set of ideas and strategies aimed at decreasing the negative consequences of drug use. Harm Reduction is about helping improve the health and well-being of all people without judging their behavior to using drugs or engaging in other harmful actions. It also realizes that everyone has different circumstances and experiences in life, and for some people, their life journey has led them to a path that involves drugs. We help people by meeting them where they are, empowering them to create positive change in their lives, no matter how small.

Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) are among the most common Harm Reduction tools used today. Public health experts created these programs to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and other drug-related issues.

At SSPs, people who use drugs can receive safer use supplies and safely dispose of the used ones. People can find education and materials that promote safer ways of using drugs. In addition, SSPs can link participants to essential health services such as:

• HIV and Hep C testing and treatment
• STI screening and treatment
• PrEP enrollment
• Substance Misuse counseling and Mental Health therapy
• Drug detoxification and treatment services
• Various other medical and health services

According to a United States Surgeon General study, SSPs are a highly effective public health intervention that helps reduce the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis. Findings also show that SSPs do not increase the use of drugs, drug-related crimes, or increase the number of used syringes in communities.

As with any harm reduction program, the primary goal of SSPs is to meet people where they are and support them as they make any positive changes in their lives.

For more information about our Syringe Service Program, please contact:

Elly Jalayer (she/ella)
Director of Harm Reduction 
ejalayer@bienestar.org
(866) 590-6411 ext. 113