HARM
REDUCTION
HARM REDUCTION SERVICES IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Tapestry Health provides harm reduction services throughout Western Massachusetts, where anyone can receive the care they need without judgment or stigma. Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing the negative effects associated with drug use. Harm reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in and respect for the rights of people who use drugs. We meet people where they are without judgment and serve people actively using drugs, their partners and family members, as well as people at a high risk of having or seeing an overdose.
All services have no out-of-pocket expenses and are confidential.
Available on a walk-in basis. We do not report to the police or immigration.
SERVICES WE PROVIDE
SYRINGE ACCESS AND DISPOSAL
Tapestry opened the first Needle Exchange in Western Massachusetts outside of Boston in 1995 in Northampton, MA. Since then, we have expanded our Syringe Services Program (SSP) throughout Western Massachusetts, with stationary sites in Chicopee, Springfield, Holyoke, Westfield, and Greenfield, and our flagship site in Northampton. We also provide mobile services in Amherst, Montague, and Belchertown. We provide access to sterile syringes, syringe disposal services, sharps containers, and safer-use supplies. Mobile delivery is also available.
SAFER USE SUPPLIES AND EDUCATION
Tapestry offers free, safer sex supplies, including free condoms, dental dams, and lube. We also offer safer use supplies like alcohol swabs, pipes, sterile water, and cottons, in addition to safer use information. Offering supplies like this is vital to evidence-based harm reduction efforts and can lead to a reduction in HIV and HCV (Hepatitis C) infections. Safer supplies and education can prevent overdoses and reduce the risk of other drug use complications associated with contaminated water, like wound infections and myocarditis. Together, these practical tools and education can help our participants make safer choices for their bodies.
NALOXONE (NARCAN) ACCESS AND TRAINING
Tapestry offers Naloxone (Narcan) access and training. We also provide overdose prevention education training and post-overdose services. We can offer referrals to medical care as well as drug treatment programs. Tapestry believes everyone should have access to lifesaving medications like Naloxone and have the education needed to respond to the needs of their communities. We strive to put Naloxone in the hands of those individuals most likely to witness an overdose, uplifting the tenants of bodily autonomy and the rights of people who use drugs to advocate for their needs.
STI/STD TESTING (HIV and HEP C)
Tapestry offers sexually transmitted infection (STI/STD) screening and testing services throughout Western Massachusetts with no out-of-pocket expenses*. This includes HIV testing and hepatitis C (HCV) testing, as well as testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Syringe Services Programs (SSP) like ours have been studied for the past 30 years and have been found to reduce HIV and HCV (Hepatitis C) incidences by 50%. Injection drug use accounts for most HCV infections and 2,500 HIV infections yearly. Tapestry believes that having accessible testing available for participants gives them the tools, education, and autonomy to make informed choices for their health. We also work closely with our Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics and Mobile Health Van to provide direct access to medical treatment for STI/STDs and HIV prevention medication like PrEP and PEP.
* Insurance may be billed for testing services.
COMMUNITY DRUG CHECKING
Tapestry is proud to be part of a movement in Massachusetts to advance cutting-edge harm reduction practices that include community drug-checking initiatives. Tapestry has advanced drug-checking equipment to test for contaminants in our local community drug supply. Testing for substances like Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, is critical as it is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. Tapestry offers free Fentanyl test strips at all our Harm Reduction locations in Western Massachusetts. We also test for other substances, including Xylazine and Levamisole, which are showing up in our local drug supply. Regular testing of drug trash residue allows people who use drugs the resources and education to make informed choices and keeps our communities safer. Learn more about community drug checking here: https://www.info.streetcheck.org/
REFERRALS AND RESOURCES
Tapestry offers a bridge to other services for their participants. We provide referrals to medical care, including pairing with our Mobile Health Van and Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics for STI/STD treatment, PrEP and PEP (HIV prevention medications), MOUD (medication used to treat opioid use disorder), and other medical services. We also offer referrals to drug treatment programs, including detox and in-patient programs. Tapestry partners with many other wonderful local organizations that provide services for people navigating housing and food insecurity and peer-led recovery and support groups.
HARM REDUCTION SITE LOCATIONS
Can’t come to us, we’ll come to you!
Call or text to coordinate delivery of safer supplies. (413) 270-3277
WESTFIELD
17 East Silver St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Can’t come to us, we’ll come to you!
Call to schedule delivery for Tuesday or Thursday afternoon. (413) 312-8306
Can’t come to us, we’ll come to you!
Call or text to coordinate delivery of safer supplies. (413) 270-3277
Can’t come to us, we’ll come to you!
Call or text to coordinate delivery of safer supplies. (413) 270-3277
NORTHAMPTON
16 Center Street, Suite 415
Northampton, MA 01060
Can’t come to us, we’ll come to you!
Call or text to coordinate delivery of safer supplies. (413) 316-4684
GREENFIELD
40 School Street, Unit 6
Greenfield, MA 01301
Can’t come to us, we’ll come to you!
Call or text to coordinate delivery of safer supplies. (413) 221-7722
HARM REDUCTION DELIVERY AREAS
WE WILL COME TO YOU!
Tapestry’s Harm Reduction Delivery Vans provides harm reduction services in Western Massachusetts by meeting participants of our syringe exchange services in their own neighborhoods. Harm reduction delivery services are available in all of the towns we have physical sites in. The delivery information is listed by each physical site above. We also offer delivery options in Amherst, Belchertown, Montague, South Hadley, and Ludlow.
Deliveries Monday – Friday, based on availability.
Please call or text to coordinate delivery of safer supplies.
AMHERST
Mobile Outreach Hours:
Monday – Friday, based on availability
Call or text (413) 316-4684 for supplies
BELCHERTOWN
Mobile Outreach Hours:
Monday – Friday, based on availability
Call or text (413) 316-4684 for supplies
MONTAGUE
Mobile Outreach Hours:
Monday – Friday, based on availability
Call or text (413) 221-7722 for supplies
LUDLOW
Mobile Outreach Hours:
Monday – Friday, based on availability
Call or text (413) 270-3277 for supplies
SOUTH HADLEY
Mobile Outreach Hours:
Monday – Friday, based on availability
Call or text (413) 270-3277 for supplies
SYRINGE HOTLINES
These hotlines are open 24/7 for people to report discarded syringes found in Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Please leave a message with the exact location of the discarded syringes, and we will respond within 24-36 hours to safely dispose of the syringes.
VACCINATION WALK IN
Tuesdays, 9:00-11:00AM
Call in advance if you would like to confirm wait times and availability.
Holyoke Harm Reduction
306 Race St
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 315-3732
SAY IT NICER
A documentary about harm reduction, love & art
What really happens at a needle exchange? This art-filled documentary goes behind the scenes at a syringe service program to look at the very misunderstood world of people who use drugs.
