Office of AIDS

Access to Sterile Syringes

Injection drug users (IDUs) continue to be at risk for HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) infection in California. Sharing of contaminated injection equipment is linked to 19 percent of all reported AIDS cases in the state, and to the majority of new cases of HCV. Research indicates that access to sterile syringes is associated with lower frequency of sharing and reduced risk of infection.

California law permits local government to expand access to sterile syringes through both syringe exchange programs (SEPs) and through nonprescription sale of syringes (NPSS) in pharmacies.  For more information contact Alessandra Ross, Injection Drug Use Specialist.