COUNTY OF MONTEREY
HEALTH
DEPARTMENT
Nationally Accredited for Providing Quality Health Services
County of Monterey Syringe Exchange Program
Published on December 22, 2016. Last modified on October 16, 2024
Syringe exchange is a public health intervention which is proven to reduce the transmission of bloodborne pathogens like HIV and hepatitis C in the community. Syringe exchange programs work by providing people who cannot or will not stop injecting illegal drugs with new syringes and a place to safely dispose of used syringes. In addition, syringe exchange programs serve as a point of access to health education and other physical and mental health services. They provide a wide range of services in addition to syringe exchange and disposal. These services include HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing, overdose prevention training, free naloxone distribution, and referrals to drug treatment, housing, and mental health services. They also provide first aid and basic supplies, facilitate hepatitis C telemedicine visits, and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Monterey County Board of Supervisors authorized the first syringe exchange programs in 1994. Syringe exchanges programs have been operating in Monterey County nearly continuously since then. California Health and Safety Code Section 11364.7 (a) guarantees freedom from criminal prosecution for public entities and their agents or employees who distribute syringes or syringes during a lawfully authorized syringe exchange project/program.
As of January 2017, Access Support Network operates a syringe exchange program in Monterey County authorized by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. Please see below for service locations and dates. Questions about hours of operations and services should be directed to Access Support Network at 831-975-5016.
Monterey County Syringe Exchange Schedule |
|
|
Locations of ASN Mobile Van* |
Days/Times |
| Lake Estero Duck Pond Parking Lot, 633 Camino El Estero (across from car wash), Monterey |
Wednesdays 10:30am - 12:30pm |
| 15 East Lake Street (corner of Bridge and Lake Streets), Salinas |
Mondays and Fridays 1:30pm - 3:30pm |
*Look for the white van with the ASN logo on the side as shown below for services.
Request for Public Comment
The Monterey County Health Department's Public Health Bureau is actively seeking comment from the public about syringe exchange services in Monterey County. Businesses, community groups, and residents are encouraged to provide feedback by contacting Kristy Michie, Assistant Director of Public Health, at 831-755-4503 Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm, by emailing MichieKJ@CountyofMonterey.gov, or by mail addressed to County of Monterey Health Department, ATTN: Kristy Michie, 1270 Natividad Rd, Salinas, CA 93906. Your input helps us better serve our communities. Input received before March 31, 2025, will be incorporated into our 2024 report on syringe exchange services. However, public comment is welcome throughout the year.
Syringe Exchange Utilization Data
Monterey County Health Department provides information on syringe exchange utilization to inform stakeholders and the public of syringe exchange activities in Monterey County. Questions about syringe exchange utilization data can be directed to Access Support Network at 831-975-5016 or to Kristy Michie, Monterey County Health Department, at 831-755-4503. Below syringe exchange utilization data are current as of April 10, 2024.
Utilization Category |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
| Total Number of Syringes Distributed |
50,892 | 113,847 | 195,381 |
313,220 |
293,567 |
306,224 |
171,227 |
| Total Number of Syringes Collected |
50,899 | 114,273 | 196,486 | 313,228 | 293,571 | 306,237 | 171,251 |
| Total Number of Client Encounters |
3,048 | 3,727 | 3,847 | 4,186 | 2,849 | 5,837 |
4,904 |
| Total Number of Clients Served (Unique Client Count) |
217 |
278 |
340 | 454 | 634 |
1,496 | 1,678 |
| Age of Individuals Served |
|||||||
| 18-24 Years |
Not Collected |
Not Collected |
9% |
0% |
2% | 4% |
6% |
| 25-34 Years |
Not Collected |
Not Collected |
0% | 3% | 27% | 26% | 22% |
| 35-44 Years |
Not Collected |
Not Collected |
45% | 58% | 25% |
27% | 28% |
| 45-54 Years |
Not Collected |
Not Collected |
27% |
25% | 20% | 18% | 20% |
| 55-64 Years |
Not Collected |
Not Collected |
18% | 15% | 21% | 20% | 18% |
| 65+ Years |
Not Collected |
Not Collected |
0% | 0% | 5% |
4% | 6% |
| Gender of Individuals Served |
|||||||
| Male |
67% | 65% | 63% | 62% |
71% |
70% |
71% |
| Female |
32% | 33% | 37% | 38% | 28% | 30% | 28% |
| Transgender |
1% | 3% | 0% | 0% | <1% | <1% | <1% |
| Other | 0% | 2% |
0% | 0% | 0% |
0% | 0% |
| Race & Ethnicity of Individuals Served |
|||||||
| American Indian & Other Indigenous Peoples |
Not Collected |
28% |
4% | 7% | 10% |
7% | 6% |
| Asian, Non-Hispanic |
1% | 1% | 1% | 4% |
2% |
3% |
4% |
| Black or African-American, Non-Hispanic |
9% | 3% | 4% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
7% |
| Hispanic, Any Race |
42% | 34% | 26% | 34% | 43% | 38% | 43% |
| White, Non-Hispanic |
34% | 30% | 44% | 37% | 30% | 38% | 37% |
| Other and Multi-Racial, Non-Hispanic |
15% | 5% | 21% | 10% | 8% | 7% | 3% |
| Geographic Region of Residence |
|||||||
| Monterey Peninsula & Big Sur |
3% | 15% | <1% |
<1% |
7% |
19% |
22% |
| North County |
4% | 5% | 0% | <1% | 1% | 3% | 1% |
| Salinas Area |
90% | 80% | 99% | 99% | 91% | 77% | 75% |
| South County |
3% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
| Risk Information |
|||||||
| Injection Drug User |
100% | 100% | 98% |
100% |
79% | 73% |
52% |
| Friend, Family Member, or Sex Partner |
0% | 0% | 2% | 0% | 3% | 5% | Not Collected |
| Homeless | Not Collected |
16% | 26% | 28% | 69% | 74% | 82% |
| Other | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
| Assistance Referrals |
|||||||
| Substance Abuse Treatment |
Not Collected |
49 | 250 |
115 |
63 |
158 | 157 |
| HIV and/or Hepatitis C Testing |
Not Collected |
59 | 166 | 8 | 135 | 533 | 867 |
| Naloxone and Overdose Education |
Not Collected |
116 | 292 | 151 | 268 | 640 | 4,121 |
| Primary Care or Wound Care |
Not Collected |
18 | 40 | 202 | 69 | 726 | 1,749 |
| Housing Services |
Not Collected |
2 | 7 | 18 | 18 | 113 | Not Collected |
| Food Bank and Food Assistance |
Not Collected |
25 | 10 | 18 | 389 | 715 | Not Collected |
| Other | Not Collected |
0 | 0 | 0 | Not Collected |
Not Collected |
Not Collected |
Nonprescription Syringe Sales
Beginning January 1, 2015, new legislation removes prior limits on the number of syringes pharmacies may sell without a prescription. Many pharmacists are unaware of the current law that allows pharmacies to sell syringes without a prescription or are unclear on what the law allows and requires. While the law allows pharmacies to sell syringes without a prescription, it does not require that pharmacies sell syringes without a prescription. Please check with your pharmacy to determine their policy.
Additional materials and resources are available on the Office of AIDS syringe access website.
If you have questions please contact Kristy Michie, Assistant Director of Public Health, at MichieKJ@CountyofMonterey.gov or 831-755-4503.
Naloxone for Overdose Reversal
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that is used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, namely slowed or stopped breathing. Expanding the awareness and availability of this medication is a key part of the public health response to the opioid epidemic. Naloxone is a safe antidote to a suspected overdose and, when given in time, can save a life. If you or someone you know meets any of the following criteria, there is elevated risk for an opioid overdose.
- Misusing prescription opioids (like oxycodone) or using heroin or illicit synthetic opioids (like fentanyl or carfentanil).
- Having an opioid use disorder, especially those completing opioid detoxification or being discharged from treatment that does not include ongoing use of methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.
- Being recently discharged from emergency medical care following an opioid overdose.
- Being recently released from incarceration with a history of opioid misuse or opioid use disorder.
Everyone has a role to play in addressing this public health issue.
- Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about obtaining naloxone. Some insurances cover the cost.
- Learn the signs of opioid overdose, like pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness.
- Get trained to administer naloxone in the case of a suspected emergency.
- Click here for a list of locations in Monterey County where free naloxone is available. Free naloxone is also available in the lobby of the Health Department's 1270 Natividad Rd., Salinas, location.
Additional Resources
- California Dept of Public Health, Office of AIDS, Access to Sterile Syringes
- California Department of Public Health, Syringe Exchange Programs in California
- Harm Reduction Coalition
- Prescribe Safe Monterey County
Follow us on Social Media!
Twitter: @WashCoverStay
Facebook: MCHD STD & HIV Prevention