Planned Parenthood of Greater NY Expands

NEW YORK – Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s Project Street Beat program, which provides confidential, nonjudgmental harm reduction services to individuals who are living with or at risk for HIV or who have chronic health conditions, is expanding to the Mid-Hudson Valley. Harm Reduction specialists and Peer Support Workers will be distributing harm reduction supplies throughout the cities of Newburgh, Poughkeepsie and Kingston, from Planned Parenthood of Greater New York health centers in each city.

According to a recent report from the State Comptroller, in 2021, 30 New Yorkers per 100,000 died from drug overdoses; 25 per 100,000 New Yorkers died from opioid overdoses in that year, compared to 5 in 2010. New York’s opioid overdose death rates exceeded national rates in both 2020 and 2021.

Supplies to be distributed and program aspects include:
• Syringe Exchange Program
• Fentanyl Test Strips
• Naloxone training and distribution
• Condoms + safe sex kits
• HIV testing
• Wound care Kits
• Dignity Kits (Hygiene supplies, snacks)

Distribution of all harm reduction supplies is 100% nonjudgemental and confidential.

Tamika Howell, Vice President, Project Street Beat, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York stated, “Drug use is extremely stigmatized in our society and people who use drugs are often ostracized and left without support despite needing critical health care, resources, and compassion. No matter who you are, where you live, or whether you use drugs, New Yorkers deserve to live with dignity and opportunity. The opioid crisis is a public health emergency that requires innovative, caring solutions that meet people where they are. Our hope with the expansion of Project Street Beat’s harm reduction initiative is to do our part to combat this growing crisis and address its intersections with the broader movement for reproductive health, including the need for sexual education and safe sex supplies. At Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, our doors are open to all who need care, especially those at the margins. Justice, compassion, and health care for people who use drugs is a critical part of the reproductive health, rights, and justice agenda.”