Getting new syringes prevents HIV and hepatitis from spreading and lowers the chance of other sicknesses and harm for people who use syringes.
Key Points:
It’s okay to have syringes for your own use in California.
You are not required to “exchange” syringes to get clean ones. Santa Clara County’s program is needs-based – meaning you can get what you and your peers need.
- Syringes you have for yourself aren’t considered drug paraphernalia under the law (Health and Safety Code Sections 11364 and 11364.5).
The law encourages using special containers (called sharps containers) to dispose of syringes safely. These containers are designed to prevent injuries and protect the environment. While the law suggests using these containers, it also requires that syringes and other sharp items be disposed of properly to keep people and the environment safe.
There’s no limit to how many syringes you can have.
Anyone can have syringes, no matter their age.
It’s okay to have syringes from any place, and you don’t need to show where you got them from, like a receipt or ID.
For more details, you can read the following:
To find syringes in your area, visit the Resource Hub.
California law protects people who call 9-1-1 or seek medical assistance for another person experiencing a suspected drug overdose.
Key Points:
- Health and Safety Code section 11376.5 is a law in California that helps people during a drug overdose emergency.
- If someone calls 9-1-1 to get medical help for a person who has overdosed, the caller and the person who overdosed won’t get in trouble for being under the influence of, or using, drugs or drug paraphernalia.
- Because of this law, more people receive help faster, which saves lives.
- However, the law doesn’t protect against selling, providing, giving, or exchanging drugs; forcing someone to take drugs; or other unlawful activities.
For more details, you can read Health and Safety Code section 11376.5.
Santa Clara County provides free sterile syringes and other supplies to keep people safe and prevent sickness. Doctors and pharmacists can also give out syringes without needing a special note.
Key Points:
In addition to sterile syringes, the County also provides containers to store and transport used syringes safely.
Doctors, pharmacists, and harm reduction workers approved by state or local governments can give out syringes without needing a note from a doctor.
Find syringe access locations by visiting the Resource Hub.
In California, people and organizations are able to carry and give out naloxone. In Santa Clara County, this can include places like community health centers, pharmacies, libraries, public health department locations, and universities.
Key Points:
Doctors can give standing orders for naloxone to people who might overdose on opioids or to people who might help during an overdose.
Public health workers and volunteers can legally have and give out naloxone without a standing order.
Anyone can have naloxone that’s given out under a standing order, even without a special note for just one person. They can give it to someone they think might be having an opioid overdose.
Pharmacists can also give out naloxone without needing a special note. Anyone can buy naloxone at pharmacies that have it.
- If naloxone is used on somebody not experiencing an opioid overdose, it is not harmful to the person. There will be no effect if the person does not have opioids in their system.
For more details, you can read the following:
Civil Code 1714.22: Standing Order Naloxone Dispensing and Personal Possession
Business and Professions Code 4052.01: Nonprescription Naloxone Dispensing by Pharmacists
To find naloxone near you, visit the Resource Hub.
Some items used for preparing or using drugs can spread diseases or cause harm if shared. In California, the law empowers state and local health departments to give out these items for public health reasons. These include things like cotton filters, containers for mixing drugs, tourniquets, alcohol swabs, clean water and saltwater, containers for safely disposing of syringes, pipes and foil for smoking drugs, straws, and more.
Key Points:
- The Santa Clara County Public Health Department makes available:
- Access to and disposal of sterile syringes
- Sharps containers
- Alternatives to injection supplies (supplies for snorting, smoking, and booty bumping)
- Caps or cookers
- Tourniquets
- Alcohol wipes
- Bandages or gauze
- Safer sex supplies
State and local health departments decide which items harm reduction programs can give out to prevent diseases, injuries, or overdoses.
These items are not called "drug paraphernalia" and can be legally owned by harm reduction workers, volunteers, and people using harm reduction programs.
The California Department of Public Health's Office of AIDS chooses all items in its Syringe Supplies Clearinghouse to help harm reduction programs prevent diseases, injuries, or overdoses.
For more details, you can read the following:
Find safer drug use supplies near you, visit the Resource Hub.