Prevention Services

Book an appointment with us today.

Services offered: HIV and/or STD testing | PrEP Consultation | Free Condoms & Lubricant | Hepatitis-C Consultation | Navigation Services (help finding health insurance, housing, a primary care provider, and other needs)

https://stappreventionservices...

Syringe Exchange Program (SEP)

The SEP provides syringe access and comprehensive risk reduction services to individuals who currently inject substances. These services range from anonymous syringe exchange services to confidential navigation and care coordination services for young Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs).

If you are currently injecting drugs or hormones and would like more information about free injection supplies (syringes, alcohol pads, sterile water, cottons, etc.) please stop into one of our fixed exchange sites (located in Johnson City & Ithaca), where you will be able to complete your anonymous enrollment.

SEP Hours (Johnson City & Ithaca)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 12:00 to 5:00
Special arrangements by appointment only.

SEP Hours (Norwich)
Tuesdays: 10:30am to 3:00pm

For more information visit the SEP website at http://www.fixsafe.org/

Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (OOPP)

OOPP is a skill-building program designed to prevent fatal opiate drug overdoses. This educational session is offered to IDUs, friends/family members, interested community members, and local service providers.

This training provides individuals with training, a Naloxone kit, and a prescription to be able to carry and dispense this potentially life-saving medication. Naloxone works by temporarily blocking the opiate receptors in the brain, thereby preventing suppression of the central nervous system and fatal overdose symptoms. Since this medication is only short-acting, individuals should always receive follow-up medical care, in order to be sure that they do not overdose after the medication wears off.

STI Testing

The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested. Many STIs have no signs or symptoms for most people who have them. The infection can have mild symptoms that can be easily overlooked. This is why the term “disease” (as in STD) is starting to be replaced by infection (or STI).

The Southern Tier AIDS Program offers screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia in our offices and at select locations in the community every month. Results are not immediately available, so staff have to be able to follow up with you in 3-5 business days.  Our screening method requires you to provide us with a urine sample, so we recommend not using the restroom for at least 30 minutes before your appointment time.

We now offer a 10-minute rapid test for syphilis which is similar to the HIV rapid test requiring a finger prick.

Some sexual behaviors and injecting practices (example: sharing syringes with others or no condoms use) contribute to new HIV, Viral Hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in our community. 

Testing is easy, free, and confidential. 

Communities of Color - Men's Service Program

The Men’s Services Program is a grant aimed at improving HIV knowledge, condom negotiation skills, risk awareness, HIV/STD testing rates, and self-efficacy for men from Communities of Color. By providing risk assessment, referral, and navigation services, the program helps connect men with resources to know their status, get treatment, and access additional community support services. If you are a young man who would be interested in free testing, referral, and navigation services, or would just like free specialty condoms, please come by the Broome or Tompkins County offices today!

Communities of Color - Women’s Services Program

The Women’s Services Program is a grant aimed at improving HIV knowledge, condom negotiation skills, risk awareness, HIV/STD testing rates, and self-efficacy for women from Communities of Color. By providing risk assessment, referral, and navigation services, the program helps connect women with resources to know their status, get treatment, and access additional community support services. If you are a young woman who would be interested in free testing, referral, and navigation services, or would just like free specialty condoms, please come by the Broome or Tompkins County offices today!

Substance Use Information & Referral

The Substance Use program works with active substance users to provide risk assessment, goal setting, testing and referral services. Using reported risks, as well as the individual’s desired treatment option, the staff work with individuals to design a plan for reducing risk, improving health, and entering the treatment modality of their choice. Staff members also offer individualized educational sessions to help improve understanding of treatment options, reduce stigma surrounding treatment, and increase the likelihood of success in treatment programs. If you are currently using substances and would like support or education to reduce you use, please come on in to the Johnson City or Ithaca offices to meet the staff!

Identity

The Identity Center is a safe space and drop-in center for LGBTQ youth and allies. The center serves youth from ages 13 until their 25th birthday. The staff members work with center peers to develop and publish a monthly calendar of offerings from health education, to group activities (art, movie nights, trivia/board games), to social events. The center staff members also provide education in local community school and agencies, related to LGBTQ 101, Homophobia, and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Technical Assistance. If you are between the ages of 13-24 and looking for a safe space to come, have fun, and be yourself… come down and visit the center on State Street in downtown Binghamton.

Criminal Justice Initiative

The Criminal Justice Initiative provides education, peer training, outreach, and linkage and navigation services within designated facilities in the Elmira HUB of New York State prison system. Linkage and navigation services help People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who are re-entering the community with establishing medical care, support services, and housing. This ensures that they will have access to the necessary medications and supports to stay healthy and help prevent new HIV and Hepatitis C/STDs infections. Peer training services train the incarcerated about HIV/Hepatitis C/STDs, so that they can share this information with other incarcerated individuals. Staff members also offer general HIV/Hepatitis/STD educational sessions, as many individuals in facilities have a lack of knowledge about HIV infection and Hepatitis C, and may not have accurate knowledge about how to prevent transmission.