Syringe/Needle Exchange Programs (SNEP’s) help lower the amount of contaminated needles in the community, properly dispose of contaminated/non-sterile needles, often offer testing for HIV, STD’s and Viral Hepatitis, offer referrals and resources (substance treatment services, substance abuse services, etc.), and are an effective method to reduce new HIV and Hepatitis C infections.
Syringe exchange services are now offered at a.l.p.h.a. under Idaho law. Program participants may turn in used syringes for proper disposal and receive new/sterile syringes in return.
To help program participants safely turn in used syringes, a.l.p.h.a. offers a variety of sharps containers, which can be taken home and returned at a later date. For further participant safety, a.l.p.h.a. offers a variety of harm reduction supplies (ex. condoms, bandages, alcohol wipes, etc.) through its buffet style “Safety Wall”. To reduce the risk of death related to opioid overdose, a.l.p.h.a. is able to provide Narcan ®. A video of how to properly use Narcan ® can be viewed here.
Items below are offered at our exchange in ready-made packages.
Sterile Water 
Single use tourniquet (tie). 
10 1 mL insulin syringes with 8 mm needles. 
Red Sharps container can hold up to 50 used syringes. When full, seal shut and dispose of in the trash or bring back to a.l.p.h.a. for disposal. 
10 1 mL insulin syringes with 12.7 mm needles. 
Alcohol prep pad used to sterilize injection site. 
Sterile gauze pad used to dress wounds. 
Cotton pellets used as filters when loading syringes. These should never be reused or shared. 
Single use, color coded cookers to ensure everyone knows which cooker is theirs and prevent accidental sharing. 
Single use, color coded cookers to ensure everyone knows which cooker is theirs and prevent accidental sharing. 
Container can hold 10 sterile or used syringes. As sterile syringes are used they are placed on the used side which is covered with a safety flap to hold used syringes in place. When all 10 syringes are used, container can be sealed and disposed of in the trash or returned to a.l.p.h.a. for disposal.