Project Safe Point attacks spread of blood borne diseases

(Albany, N.Y. – January 29, 2010) – Since 1994, Catholic Charities AIDS Services has been providing support to individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. In addition to HIV prevention services Catholic Charities AIDS Services provides direction and assistance concerning medical care, housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, public benefits and other available options to its clients.

It is well documented that injection drug use plays a key role in the spread of HIV, Hepatitis and other blood borne diseases. Catholic Charities AIDS Services will launch a new service of Project Safe Point designed to address this situation and increase community safety. This initiative is a key component of our ongoing mission to move a marginalized, invisible population within range of supportive programs, education and other essential services.

Established in 2006, Project Safe Point is comprised of three components – syringe disposal, syringe access and syringe exchange. Catholic Charities AIDS Services will begin syringe exchange services on Monday, February 1 at two sites in the City of Albany. On the corner of Bassett and Dongan, services will be available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. On Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, services will be offered on North Swan Street and Ten Broeck Place.

“Catholic Charities AIDS Services is proud to expand its history of service to the community and is looking forward to reporting the positive results of these efforts in the future. We expect that this program will be life saving for many,” announced Executive Director, Angela Keller.

Sr. Maureen Joyce, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, commented on the launch, “Catholic Charities has been in the forefront in New York State service delivery since the AIDS epidemic began in the 1980s. We view this new direction as an extension of our mission to serve the poor and vulnerable.”

“From a public health perspective, Project Safe Point could be of considerable benefit to our community. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of programs like this to reduce rates of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other blood-borne diseases among people who use injection drugs. Catholic Charities AIDS Services has a longstanding history of providing needed support and services to county residents. Project Safe Point is another valuable project they are offering to address an important public health matter in our community,” states Dr. James Crucetti, Commissioner of the Albany County Department of Health.

A mobile outreach van will visit the two sites and distribute sterile syringes, information and support materials while collecting used syringes. Catholic Charities AIDS Services will partner with the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York in this program. The AIDS Council will provide training, coordination and support of Peer Associates who will provide outreach to promote the program in communities most at risk. Additionally, the AIDS Council will provide HIV testing and Hepatitis C screening, and Transitional Case Management – facilitating access into substance abuse treatment – in the Project Safe Point mobile unit.

“The Project Safe Point program aligns with the AIDS Council’s mission to reduce the risk, fear and incidence of HIV infection, and we applaud Catholic Charities AIDS Services for providing this needed intervention in the community”, comments Michele McClave, Executive Director of the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York.

“As the District Attorney of Albany County, I work every day to improve public safety. Project Safe Point’s comprehensive strategy for harm reduction, including mobile outreach in Arbor Hill and the South End of the City of Albany, will help improve the quality of life for residents in our communities”, states David Soares.

He indicates that, "Additionally, the safety of the men and women in law enforcement is paramount. Project Safe Point provides an opportunity to ensure officer safety by removing unclean syringes from our streets, lessening the likelihood of exposure to contaminated syringes. As proven in other syringe exchange programs, providing direct syringe exchange services, access to testing, treatment, referral and education has great potential to reduce injection drug use in Albany County."

"Needle exchange, as a proven method of injection-related HIV prevention, has been shown to significantly reduce HIV transmission rates amongst injection drug users and their families while not contributing to an increase in illicit drug use in the process. This is a crucial and timely program for the Capital Region." says Jon Zibbell, former chair of the Springfield Users Council, an independent needle exchange program in Springfield Massachusetts, and currently a visiting professor at Skidmore College.

“Catholic Charities AIDS Services will join 17 existing syringe exchange programs in New York State that have shown progress in reducing the number of new HIV, Hepatitis and other blood borne infections among injection drug users. The New York State Health Department is pleased that syringe exchange services will be offered in this part of the State for the first time,” indicates Humberto Cruz, Director, NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute.

The mission of Catholic Charities AIDS Services is to recognize and respond to the needs of those individuals and communities affected by HIV/AIDS. We do this in the spirit of compassion, advocacy and collaboration while preserving the dignity, respect and sanctity of human life. By enhancing individual and family capabilities, we strengthen our communities and promote positive change regardless of orientation, lifestyle or belief.

Ms. Keller states that, “with the launch of enhanced HIV prevention services through Project Safe Point, we will respond to this population in need and assist individuals with service entre that will move them toward safer behavior and, hopefully, on the road to recovery.”