The Needle Exchange gives clean needles to people who use injection drugs and reduces the spread of disease in the community.

- What is the Needle Exchange?
- What services are at the exchange?
- Where and when is the exchange available?

What is the Needle Exchange?

The Needle Exchange allows people who use injection drugs to:

• Get clean needles and reduce the spread of disease caused by reusing and sharing needles. More than a million people in the United States inject drugs and many of these people share needles. Sharing needles and paraphernalia can cause the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and C and other blood borne infections. Injection drug use has been identified as the cause of more than one-third (36%) of AIDS cases in the United States.
• Dispose of used needles safely and keep the community safe from potential exposure to used injection drug equipment.
• Receive health services such as HIV and Hepatitis C testing, immunizations, and referrals (including drug treatment) to other community agencies.

What health services are at the exchange?

• HIV testing - anonymous and confidential. All tests are done on a walk-in basis when staff are available.
• HIV Rapid Test (oral or finger stick, results in 20 minutes)
• HIV Oral Fluid Traditional (results in 2 weeks)
• Hepatitis C testing - confidential (finger stick, results in 3 weeks)
• Hepatitis A and B vaccinations
• Tetanus (when available)
• Emergency contraceptive pills – effective up to 72 hours after unprotected sex
• Ear acupuncture
• Resources and referrals to other community agencies

Where and when is the exchange available?

Clark County Needle Exchange
3701 E. Forth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661
Map and directions
C-Tran Route 4, stops frequently
Phone - (360) 397-8078
Hours - Monday and Wednesday - 3 to 6 p.m.
Friday - 3 to 5 p.m.

Needle exchange programs have become a standard public health practice both in the United States and around the world. Studies have shown that syringe exchanges are cost effective programs that reduce the spread of diseases in the community.