Some patients on opioids (strong pain drugs) or benzodiazepines (anxiety drugs) may have lost access to their doctors in the County. This can cause withdrawal, and lead some to use dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, which can cause overdose. Hospitals, ERs, and clinics should prepare for an increase in such patients.
Learn more, Health Update: Resource for patients seeking continued opioid or benzodiazepine therapy.
Xylazine, a non-opioid agent developed as a veterinary tranquilizer, has been increasingly detected in the nation’s illicit opioid supply. Xylazine has been associated with fatal overdoses and chronic wounds, with areas in the Northeast USA being heavily impacted with a confirmed case in Santa Clara County. Medical providers in the County should be aware of the signs and symptoms of xylazine toxicity to counsel patients appropriately.
Health Advisory on Xylazine
For the past three decades, the Harm Reduction Program (HRP) has been at the forefront of public health efforts to promote safer behaviors proven to control the spread of blood borne viruses, such as HIV and Hepatitis C as well as playing a vital role in the opioid overdose response. The HRP outreach staff utilize medical mobile units throughout the County to distribute injection and alternatives to injection supplies, opioid overdose prevention supplies, safer sex supplies. The HRP services include harm reduction health education, HIV, HCV, STD testing and counseling, and referrals to additional services. In 2021, the HRP initiated the Bay Area Medication Assisted Treatment and Peer Support Program (BAMAT), a low-barrier Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program offering easy, safe, and timely access to MAT for HRP participants onsite via telehealth and medical mobile unit. The BAMAT aims to prevent opioid overdose and support positive change.
The HRP is a program housed with in the Sexual Health and Harm Reduction Program of the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department.
Hours and locations
| Day | Time* | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Knox Avenue: Story Rd. and Knox Ave. (one block west from King Rd.) in San Jose |
| Tuesday | 1 to 3 p.m. | Second Street and 280: Under the 280 overpass in San Jose (between S. First and Second St.) |
| 5 to 7 p.m. | Crane Center: 976 Lenzen Ave., Ste. 1800, San Jose (parking lot on the southwest side of the building) |
|
| Wednesday |
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Crane Center: 976 Lenzen Avenue, Ste. 1800, San Jose (parking lot on the southwest side of the building) |
| Friday | 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Valley Health Center: 7475 Camino Arroyo, Gilroy |
| 2 to 4 p.m. | Little Orchard: Little Orchard St. in San Jose (midway between Curtner and San Jose Avenue) |
*Please arrive at least 30 minutes before closing if you are interested in a HIV or hepatitis C rapid test.
No Harm Reduction Program (HRP) services on Saturday, Sunday and County holidays. Services on Thursdays are conducted through local partners and housing sites. If you are a community partner or business in Santa Clara County and would like to request HRP services, please contact us at [email protected] or (408) 792-5529.
New Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) service available at HRP locations
In response to the opioid crisis, the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department is offering MAT to our HRP participants. The program will make it easier to obtain opioid use disorder treatment, including MAT, behavioral health interventions, linkages and referrals, and other OUD support services. For more information and services contact the MAT Navigation staff at (510) 473-7504.
This pilot project is titled Bay Area Medication Assisted Treatment (BAMAT) and Peer Support Program in partnership with Bay Area Community Health and funded by the Sierra Health Foundation.
Our services and referrals
- Syringe access and disposal
- Opioid overdose prevention (naloxone and fentanyl test strip kits with training)
- Alternatives to injecting (supplies for snorting, smoking and booty bumping)
- Condoms and safer sex supplies
- General hygiene supplies
- STI, HIV and hepatitis C testing and linkage to care services
- Referrals to:
- Medication Assisted Treatment (Suboxone and Methadone)
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention
- Food Assistance
- Health Coverage
- Employment Connection
- Housing
- Support for quitting tobacco (vaping, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco): Kick It California
- Suicide Prevention and Crisis
Additional health resources
Valley Homeless Clinic at Alexian
Drop-in psychiatric and health care clinic for unhoused individuals, call for hours and location.
(408) 272-6050
Homefirst Shelter Clinic
Drop-in health care clinic for unhoused individuals, call for hours and location.
(408) 510-7543
Mobile Medical Unit
Drop-in health care clinic for unhoused individuals, call for location near you.
(408) 690-6180
Mobile Dental Unit
Routine and emergency dental care, call for a location near you.
(408) 568-9446
Naloxone Finder
Locate where you can get Naloxone for free.
Never Use Alone CA Hotline
(800) 469-4470
2-1-1
Call 2-1-1 for 24/7 information on housing, food distribution and other assistance programs.
For our community partners
About the County of Santa Clara Drug User Health Advisory Committee (DUHAC)
DUHAC is a collaborative advisory board comprised of drug users and others who are concerned with drug user health in the county. The mission of the DUHAC is to empower drug users and other community stakeholders to guide and oversee harm reduction services by providing a formal mechanism for stakeholders to provide recommendations, guidance and feedback on agency policies regarding, treatment of and service provision to drug users and proximate community members.
Interested in joining DUHAC or have questions? Please contact [email protected]
The Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project
The Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project is a coalition of health care professionals and other volunteers from a variety of backgrounds whose aim is to promote opioid safety throughout our county for all residents. Our coalition is part of a larger network of opioid safety coalitions throughout the state, called the California Opioid Prevention Network. Interested in joining or have questions? Contact us at [email protected].
Harm Reduction FAQs
Harm reduction programs are evidence-based programs that improve the health and safety of people who use drugs. HRPs have been proven to prevent diseases that can spread through sex and/or shared drug use equipment (HIV, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, Chlamydia) through provision of safer supplies, services and information. HRPs also link clients to treatment for substance use and provide services and supplies to help prevent overdose deaths among people who use drugs. For more information on harm reduction, please visit National Harm Reduction Coalition or amfAR.org.
Yes. We also give people free sharps containers so they can store and transport used syringes safely. We encourage people to return used syringes to us at future visits.
The County of Santa Clara HRP provides services and supplies free of cost for the community. These harm reduction supplies include, but are not limited to:
- HIV, hepatitis C, STI testing and treatment
- Sharps containers
- Alternatives to injecting supplies (supplies for snorting, smoking and booty bumping)
- Bandages or gauze
- Safer sex supplies
- Caps or cookers
- Tourniquets
- Sterile water
- Cotton
- Alcohol wipes
- Linkage to MAT (suboxone and methadone)
- Hygiene supplies
- Opioid overdose prevention supplies including naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and training
- Referrals to medical and social services
Under California law, it is lawful to carry syringes, alternatives to injection supplies (including pipes), naloxone, or other materials you may receive from the Harm Reduction Program. Know your rights. To learn more, see the resources below from the
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Office of AIDS:
- CDPH Fact Sheet: California Law and Syringe Services Programs
- CDPH Smoking Supplies for Harm Reduction
- What Consumers Need to Know About Sharps Disposal
- Nonprescription Sale of Syringes in Pharmacies: Licensed pharmacists may sell hypodermic needles and syringes to adults age 18 and older without a prescription in order to reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases.
If you have or find new or used syringes that you wish to dispose of, bring them to any of our locations. See our schedule for hours and locations at the top of this web page. Find other drop-off locations near you.
- DO NOT Throw syringes in the garbage or recycling bins.
- DO NOT Flush syringes down the toilet or drop into storm drains.
Protect yourself, your community, your environment, and family and friends. The proper disposal of syringes is important!
- Prescription opioids are strong medicines, usually pills, that a person can get from a doctor to treat pain. These powerful medicines can also have serious risks and side effects. Common types are oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and methadone.
- Fentanyl is a manmade pain reliever. It is many times more powerful than other pain-relieving drugs and is approved for treating extreme pain, like cancer-related pain. Illegally made and distributed fentanyl has been on the rise in several states.
- Heroin is an illegal pain-relieving drug.
Xylazine is marketed as a veterinary tranquilizer that produces sedative-like effects. It is becoming more frequently found in the drug supply throughout the country, so check out the Xylazine info sheet to be in the know!
No, HRP is anonymous and confidential. Additional referrals for medical services may require personal identifying information.
No, all HRP supplies and services are provided at no-cost to participants.
Contact us
Contact HRP staff at (408) 792-5529 Monday to Friday (except Tuesday) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., or at [email protected].
The Harm Reduction Program has been approved by the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, as permitted by HS code 11364.7
Quick Links
2024 Viral Video ContestHIV and Aging ProgramSTI and HIV testing servicesPositive Connections ProgramHarm Reduction ProgramPrEP/PEP ProgramGTZ Provider GatewayGetting to Zero ProgramYouth and Young Adult Advisory BoardHealth data reportsCommunity resourcesSTI exposure notificationSHHRP Strategic Plan 2022-2026