FAQs
What is harm reduction?
Harm reduction is a set of practical, public health strategies designed to reduce potential harms associated with drug use and promote healthy lifestyles and communities. There is no universal definition for harm reduction, but the idea is to ensure there is no judgement about a person’s drug use and sexual activity, meet people where they are in terms of ability and willingness to modify behaviors, and elicit positive change based on client centered goals, needs, circumstances, and readiness to change.
What are syringe services programs (SSPs)?
SSPs are programs that provide comprehensive harm reduction services. This can include, but is not limited, to sterile needle and injection drug equipment distribution; safe disposal for used needles/syringes; HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and linkage to care; overdose prevention education and naloxone distribution; referrals to substance use disorder treatment, medical care, mental health providers, and social services; and other tools to prevent acquisition of bloodborne pathogens and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What are the legal authorities for SSPs in Tennessee?
Per §T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 1 non-governmental organizations and local health departments in partnership with county government may operate a syringe services program after approval by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH).
Does the law include zoning requirements in the legislation for SSP locations?
Yes, the law requires SSPs to be located at least 1,000 feet from any school or public park. However, there is an exception where it has to be at least 2,000 feet from a school or public park in municipalities with a population between 55,440-55,450.
What services are Tennessee SSPs required to provide?
By law, SSPs are required to provide the following services:
- Distribution of unused needles/syringes and injection drug equipment at no cost
- Collection and safe disposal of used needles/syringes and injection drug equipment
- Education on prevention of overdoses, bloodborne pathogens, and drug misuse as well as treatment for mental illness and substance use disorder
- Referral to mental health and substance use disorder treatment to individuals who request it
- Referral to or direct provision of naloxone
- Referral to or direct provision of HIV and hepatitis C testing
What are the benefits of SSPs?
People who use drugs (PWUD) and people who inject drugs (PWID) are often marginalized and often lack access to the traditional health care and social services system due to stigma against drug use, cost, and fear of legal consequences. Aside from providing participants with sterile syringes and collecting used ones, SSPs provide HIV and hepatitis C testing and refer participants to the medical care and social services based on client-centered goals.
Additionally, SSPs reduce needle stick injuries among first responders by collecting used syringes and educating participants to inform law enforcement when syringes are in their possession. SSPs also reduce fatal overdoses by distributing naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication, and educating participants how to prevent and respond to an overdose.
Lastly, SSPs save healthcare dollars by reducing HIV and hepatitis C infections and preventing bacterial infections such as skin abscesses and heart valve infections or endocarditis.
Why does Tennessee need SSPs?
HIV, hepatitis C and drug overdose deaths are intertwined crises in the central Appalachian states due to the opioid epidemic. Tennessee is home to one of the highest opioid prescribing rates in the United States, and drug overdose rates have risen drastically since 2013. In Tennessee, declines in HIV among PWID stalled, and chronic hepatitis C infections continue to rise 20,000 each year since 2016. Coupled with high rates of poverty and unemployment, changing trends in opioid use, and challenges with access to health care, many of Tennessee’s counties are highly vulnerable to the rapid dissemination of HIV and hepatitis C among PWID. By providing sterile syringes to clients, the chance of transmitting HIV or hepatitis C to another person through injection drug use is reduced. In addition, by providing syringe services, naloxone, and referrals to substance use disorder treatment, SSPs reduce accidental overdoses due to opioids and other controlled substances.
Who can visit an SSP?
Anyone can visit an SSP. SSPs are built on the harm reduction model, which offers support and resources to those who may need them. The following people might visit an SSP:
- Persons who use drugs (PWUD), including persons who inject drugs (PWID)
- People who are on opioid pain management treatment and would like naloxone
- People who engage in commercial sex work
- People requesting safer sex supplies and HIV and hepatitis C testing
- People who use syringes to administer prescribed medications (i.e., insulin) or non-prescribed medications (hormones and/or steroids)
- Family and friends of someone who injects drugs and would benefit from naloxone
- Persons seeking naloxone or overdose prevention education
- Persons seeking information on prevention of bloodborne pathogens and/or sexually transmitted infections
Who can start an SSP in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, any non-governmental organization or county legislative body can start an SSP, after approval by TDH.
What are the requirements for starting an SSP?
Local health departments (in partnership with county government):
- Interested local health departments must complete and submit a TDH SSP application, which includes a petition letter of support the local governing body and confirmation that local law enforcement has been notified that the program will be operating within their jurisdiction. Additional requirements are described in the online application, which can be found here.
Non-governmental organizations:
- Interested organizations must complete and submit a TDH SSP application, which includes confirmation that local law enforcement has been notified that the program will be operating within their jurisdiction. Additional requirements are described in the online application, which can be found here.
- For questions, email SSP.Health@tn.gov.
What are the requirements for an SSP after the program has been approved by TDH?
TDH approved SSPs are required to report annually. The annual reporting form can be found here. SSPs report on the following metrics:
- Number of needles/syringes dispensed by the program
- Number of needles/syringes collected by the program
- Number of total participant visits
- Number of naloxone kits distributed
- Number of referrals given to substance use disorder and mental health treatment
- Number of HIV and hepatitis C tests performed by the program
- Participant demographic information (e.g., race/ethnicity, age range, current gender identity, health insurance status)
This information is used to help TDH expand programs across the state to areas of greatest need.
Additionally, all TDH approved SSPs are required to participate in a site visit 30 days after SSP operations begin as well as an annual site visit, which are both conducted by the Tennessee SSP coordinator.
Who should we submit the application and/or annual reports to at TDH?
The application can be submitted here , and the annual report can be submitted here .
How are SSPs funded?
SSPs are funded either by non-governmental organizations or by county funds. Non-governmental organizations can secure SSP funding for syringes and injection supplies through private grants, donations, and fundraising (please refer to the resources tab for additional funding information here).
For additional information, please find links to funding restrictions here and funding opportunities here.
What SSP models are allowed in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, SSPs are allowed to operate as a fixed site and/or a mobile site. A fixed site is an SSP located in a building or specific location, such as a storefront, office, or other space with street-level access. A mobile site is an SSP operated from a van, bus, or other mobile unit to deliver services. However, if operating as a mobile site, the SSP is required to have a consistent location when delivering services due to zoning requirements.