Safety & Support Program (Formerly Syringe Services Program)

Safety and Support Programs aim to minimize the negative consequences associated with substance use by providing practical strategies to decrease risk. 

Diseases like HIV or hepatitis C can be spread when people who use drugs share needles or other equipment. We provide new, sterile equipment to people who use drugs and provide connections to treatment, disease testing, vaccines, and other social services.

  • Safety and Support Program like ours are one part of a comprehensive set of programs that reduce the spread of blood-borne infections, like HIV, without increasing drug use.
  • We dispose of used equipment safely so that it does not end up as litter on sidewalks, or in parks, bus stops, trails, or yards.
  • Preventing infections for people with substance use disorder is safer and costs less than treating people who become sick. Prevention also protects family members, partners, and newborn children of people with substance use disorder.
  • Our nurses work with volunteers and staff from local treatment agencies to provide counseling, testing, medical care, and referrals to drug treatment or other services that help support people toward their healthiest selves!

About the Safety & Support Program

Established in 1999, Whatcom County’s Safety and Support Program is operated by our public health nurses and provides on-site STI, hepatitis C and HIV testing. Our nurses work with volunteers and staff from local treatment agencies to meet individuals where they are, providing access to counseling, testing, medical care, and referrals to substance use treatment or housing services.

The Whatcom County Health and Community Services offers the confidential exchange of new, sterile syringes and clean injection equipment in exchange for contaminated syringes.

Syringe Services Clinic Hours

There are currently syringe services clinic locations in Bellingham and Maple Falls.

Bellingham Location

We hold harm reduction clinics every Monday and Thursday (except holidays) directly off E. Champion Street, in the parking lot behind Walton Place Apartments (1511 N State St, Bellingham), across from the WTA Metro Station / bus stop from 2-4pm. Look for the pop-up tent and blue shipping containers.  

SSP Location MapMaple Falls

We provide syringe services clinics one Tuesday a month at East Whatcom Regional Resource Center. Learn more at https://www.oppco.org/ewrrc/.

Services We Provide:

  • Sterile injecting supplies.
  • Safe syringe disposal.
  • Naloxone education and distribution.
  • HIV testing and follow-up.
  • Hepatitis C testing and follow-up.
  • STI testing and treatment (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) and prevention services.
  • Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccinations.
  • Other vaccines as available.
  • Wound surveillance.
  • Education on reducing harms associated with drug use.
  • Drug checking.
  • Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips, education of use and how to read results.
  • Outreach and education.

How Can I Help?

If you know someone with substance use disorder, your support can help them stay safe.

  • Carry naloxone with you. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse an overdose. Anyone in Washington State who is at risk of experiencing an overdose or who spends time with someone who could overdose can get and carry naloxone. To learn more about naloxone and its uses, attend one of our Monday or Thursday clinics and request to speak with a public health nurse.
  • Learn more about Substance Use Disorder and Harm Reduction.
  • Use language that respects the worth and dignity of all people. The words you use can impact how people think about themselves and their ability to change.
  • Call SAMHSA’s 24/7 National Helpline: 1800-662-HELP. The helpline provides confidential treatment referrals and information in English and Spanish for individuals and families facing substance use disorder.

Additional Resources

For People Who Use Drugs

About Syringe Services Programs

About Risks & Prevention of Injection Drug Use