In this section we provide answers to the most commonly asked questions about our Harm Reduction and Syringe Service Programs. We hope you enjoy the information and share it with others. If you do not find what you are looking for, don't hesitate to get in touch with us via phone or email.
Q: What are your hours?
A: We're open from 9:30am - 5:00pm. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday we're closed for lunch 1:00pm-1:30pm and Wednesdays we are closed 12:00pm-2:30pm for lunch and meetings.
Q: What Holidays are you closed for?
A: We're closed for every federal holiday. If the holiday lands on a Saturday we're closed the previous Friday, and if the holiday lands on Sunday we're closed that following Monday.
Federal Holidays: New Years, Martin Luther King's Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteeth National Independence Day, Labor day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Q: This is my first appointment, what you should bring with you?
A: Ideally, you should bring any and all questions about the program with you to your first visit. You will have an opportunity to meet with staff one-on-one and this will be your time to ask questions. Our staff will have you fill out a form and register you to be able to receive our services in the storefront location in the future as well as all of our vending machine locations throughout Southern Nevada. You will not be asked for government-issued identification or any payment for syringe services, but there is an ID requirement to get a vending machine card (so we can make sure everyone only gets 1 card) and naloxone (in order to follow regulatory requirements).
Q: Is there a fee?
A: There are no fees associated with or services. Because of our upfront costs and overhead, we do accept monetary donations but most donations will recieve an in-kind donated gift in return!
Q: How does the syringe exchange program work?
A: Initially you will be provided with syringes and a sharps container. It has been shown that the reuse of syringes can cause abcesses, infections and damage to veins so we do not encourage re-use. The syringe recovery part of our program is integral in keeping our services running. We ask that you return any used syringes in a sharps container whch we wil provide to you.
Q: I want to learn about how to protect myself or someone else in case of overdose. How can I do that?
We are able to provide naloxone and naloxone education free of charge to the community. Naloxone is an overdose reversal drug and we recommend anyone that regularly injects opiods or knows some who does, have naloxone readily avaiabe in case of overdose.
Q: Isn't syringe exchange or naloxone illegal?
No, syringe service programs as well as naloxone are perfectly legal under Nevada law.
Q: Can I get syringes for others?
A: The intake part of our program is where we get to know our participants and can offer them individualized consulting services. Because of the individualized nature of our program, we encourage each person to sign up on there own. We also HIGHLY discourage the sharing of needles, syringes or injecting equiptment because of infectious disease risk. Please do not share these items with others.
Q: Are you a 501 (c) 3 non-profit Organization?
A: Yes, Impact Exchange is the 501(c)3 non-profit arm of the Harm Reduction Center. This allows us to accept tax deductable donations and to make purchases of supplies without paying sales tax. Trac-B Exchange, LLC is a limited liability corporation that has been incorporated in the state of Nevada since 2016, prior to us forming Impact Exchange. Impact Exchanges EIN number is 82-3917829.
Q: What are your qualifications to do harm reduction services?
Great question! We are overseen by a Medical Director that has worked in HIV/AIDS treatment for over 30 years. Our Program is led by the former Manager of the Southern Nevada Health Districts' HIV/AIDS/STD/Hepatitis program and has 40+ years working in STD and HIV. Also, a person that formerly was a Disease Investigator and Intervention Specialist as well as Coordinator of the State Adult Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention programs. We have several employees with backgrounds in Environmental Health, lived experience, Pharmacy, Public Health and Sex work. All of our HIV testing staff are licensed HIV testers with Nevada lab licenses and phlebotomy certifications.