San Luis Obispo Syringe Exchange Program - 'SLO Bangers' - asks for your help.

[pinto]

After passage of California Assembly Bill 547, local advocates and community partners came together to establish the San Luis Obispo Syringe Exchange Program (SLOSEP).

http://www.slosep.net

75% of all Hepatitis C infections and 25% of HIV infections in SLO County are acquired through injection drug use. SLOSEP complements existing prevention efforts to reduce blood borne infections "at the source".

We opened our first site, in the City of San Luis Obispo, in November of 2006. In 2007, we opened our second site in San Miguel, in SLO's North County. In 2009, we would like to open a South County site in Grover Beach. To date we have recovered 15,000 used syringes for safe disposal and distributed 13,265 new syringes.

We have maintained safe, legal syringe exchange 52 weeks a year, *without interruption*, largely due to a committed volunteer effort that has been the backbone of the exchange from the start.

SLOSEP also serves as a bridge to local substance abuse programs, HIV and Hep C testing services.

Skinner, the Administrator of Democratic Underground, has kindly allowed us to ask you, the DU community, for support.

We know what works. New needles = less infections.

In light of decreased funding for syringe exchange in California, any help you may provide is appreciated. Funds will go to supplies and mileage reimbursement to assist volunteers to staff our exchange sites.

Donations - PayPal, credit card or checks - are tax deductible via our fiscal agent, the Pacific Pride Foundation. Please note "SLOSEP" with your donation. ->

http://www.pacificpridefoundation.org/donate.htm

Thanks all!


SLOSEP is a member of the Harm Reduction Coalition
http://www.harmreduction.org




SLOSEP is a member of the North American Syringe Exchange Network
http://www.nasen.org



Disclaimer: The administrators of Democratic Underground have
given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The
administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the
legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was
granted by Skinner on 3/5/09, and the moderators have been notified.

[pinto]

1. Update. Should you choose to chip in, SLOSEP's fiscal agent says to pick "other" at the website,

and note 'SLOSEP' on the form. Or donations can be made by phone - [phone] - or snail mail - Pacific Pride Foundation, 126 E Haley St A-11, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Thanks again for your consideration. Community based syringe exchange relies on public support.

~ pinto

[pinto]

2. Why I volunteer -

I watched my best friend get infected with HIV and didn't stand up. It's the least I can do now, for us all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvb65dCMjZI&feature=related

[Cleita]

3. Kix

I live in Arroyo Grande.

[maddezmom]

4. kick

:kick:

[pinto]

5. Why I volunteer (Lois) -

This is from one of our volunteers. I've asked for comments, and permission to pass them along, from volunteers and clients to include in our fund raising effort. I'll include them as available until next Friday, when we'll close it out here. Thanks again, all. ~ pinto

I was infected with HIV thru needle use, in part due to not having access to new needles and having to share with others. Making sure others have access to new syringes has been a passion of mine. That is the reason why I volunteer for SLOSEP/SLO Bangers. - Lois

[pinto]

6. Why I volunteer (one of the SLOSEP volunteers)

A late submission, but the volunteer asked that I include it here. Thanks all. - pinto

I volunteer with SLOSEP/SLO Bangers because as a former IV Drug user, I wish something like this was available for me. I would have practiced a lot safer habits and would have put myself at a lot less risk. Keeping HIV and HEP C off the streets is what drives me.

[worldfamouslois]

7. syringe exchange

check this out

[pleah]

8. Kick

:kick: :)