Request for support - San Luis Obispo Syringe Exchange Program (CA)

[pinto]

SLOSEP is facing a severe shortfall in funds available to maintain the basics for our operation through this fiscal year (June 2014). The team met today and estimated we would run dry for supplies in March. That leaves us 3 months short until another cycle of public / private grant funding applications. Some granters have pulled back on funding.

We're looking at other options, while we also look at cutting costs without undermining our primary goal - reducing HIV and HCV infections via injection drug use in our community.

Hence this request. Any donation you can afford, in any amount would help us bridge this gap, stay open and continue to develop more long term funding sources. Thanks all! ~ pinto

San Luis Obispo Syringe Exchange Program

History and Mission:

The San Luis Obispo Syringe Exchange Program (SLOSEP) is a community based, volunteer staffed program. The program started in 2007 after syringe exchange was legalized by the State legislature and authorized in the County by declaration of the County Board of Supervisors.

The parameters of the exchange program were developed in collaboration with the San Luis Obispo Public Health Department, the Board of Supervisors, local law enforcement, the addiction recovery community, active injectors and the community at large.

From our initial start up in November, 2007 to the present, SLOSEP has provided weekly, uninterrupted exchange services to the community.

The mission of the San Luis Obispo Syringe Exchange Program is to provide safe, legal syringe exchange services in San Luis Obispo County, reduce the incidence of blood borne infections related to shared syringe use, support those struggling with substance dependency and serve as a bridge to other health and support services in the community.

SLOSEP participates in annual program service reviews with the San Luis Obispo HIV Care and Prevention Consortium. The exchange, in collaboration with Cal Poly’s Dept. of Biological Sciences, conducts an ongoing client demographic, behavioral and program satisfaction survey. Both are key quality control components of our service to the community and our clients. This year the Cal Poly team will also conduct in-depth focus groups for more detailed client feedback.

SLOSEP is a member of the California Association of Syringe Exchange Programs, the Harm Reduction Coalition and the North American Syringe Exchange Network.

If you choose to donate to SLOSEP, funds should be forwarded to our fiscal agent, the San Luis Obispo AIDS Support Network, a 501(c)3 non-profit. Please note that your donation is targeted to "SLOSEP". Donations are tax deductible.

San Luis Obispo Syringe Exchange Program
'SLO Bangers'

SLOSEP / SLO Bangers is a local, community based effort to reduce the spread of blood borne infections associated with shared injection equipment.

We support a harm reduction approach to injection drug use and its consequences for individuals and the community at large. That includes support for a range of options - from abstinence to safer alternatives for active users.

Our clients run the gamut from daily opiate users, to weekend stimulant injectors, to occasional steroid shooters.

Our team of volunteers work to provide them all with the tools and resources to make informed decisions about injection use.

The AIDS Support Network serves as "SLO Bangers" fiscal agent. You may designate a donation specifically to support the Syringe Exchange Program by clicking on the donate button below. Your donation will appear as a donation to the AIDS Support Network on your credit card but be assured that the donation will go toward the Syringe Exchange Program.

http://www.asn.org/donate.php

[pinto]

1. Kick (nt)