GREENFIELD — Tapestry Health is in the process of finding a location for the new needle exchange and harm reduction program and hope to have it up and running by Dec. 1.
Tapestry Chief Program Officer Suzanne Smith said ideally, the program would be housed in an inconspicuous location so clients cannot be easily identified. Tapestry Health runs a family planning clinic on the third floor of 278 Main St., which houses several other offices. Smith said that location or a similar building would be a good fit, adding it’s beneficial to keep all services in the same area.
Tapestry Health runs needle exchange and disposal programs in Holyoke and Northampton, and is in the process of establishing locations in Greenfield and North Adams. Smith and Brita Loftus, Syringe Access Program manager in Holyoke, gave an update on the progress of Greenfield’s program to the Board of Health Wednesday night.
“We find it helpful to be located very close to the clinics because we refer clients back and forth,” Loftus said. “It’s kind of a seamless linkage into the care.”
The program will offer referrals to drug treatment programs and medical care, HIV, STD and Hepatitis C testing, drug use counseling and other services. Smith said the Greenfield location will employ a site manager, two full-time harm reduction councilors, a Narcan educator and an HIV case manager.
The Holyoke program sees more than 2,000 individuals per year, according to Loftus.
Smith said statistics can be provided to the Town of Greenfield on a regular basis and staff will remain in close communication with the Board of Health and health director throughout the process.
The board approved the establishment of the program in August, following a months-long evaluation of the proposal.
The proposal ran into little opposition in Greenfield, drawing favorable recommendations from the town’s police and fire chiefs, top officials from Baystate Franklin Medical Center, members of the recovery community and others. A survey by the regional Opioid Task Force found widespread support for the idea. Mayor William Martin was been the only one to raise concerns about certain aspects of the program, including liability to the town.
Representatives from Tapestry Health said the exchange, the town and other involved entities would have their own legal counsel to deal with any issues that may arise.
You can reach Aviva Luttrell at: aluttrell@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 268
On Twitter: @AvivaLuttrell