Safe Point program in Columbus attempts to reduce harm from drug use and offer access to treatment

Aaron Burd
·2 min read

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus Public Health and Equitas Health are partnering to offer services to make the drug-using community healthier and provide access to treatment.

Safe Point — a program operated by nonprofit Equitas Health — will remain supported by the city after councilmembers approved legislation Monday night to extend the partnership. The $350,000 contract will last through Feb. 28, 2025.

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Equitas Health provides harm reduction services that allow people access to:

  • Naloxone, a lifesaving drug for those at risk of accidental overdose death

  • Risk reduction counseling

  • Referrals to alcohol and drug treatment

  • Overdose prevention education

Councilmember Melissa Green served as the harm reduction program manager at Columbus Public Health during the creation of Safe Point, which launched in 2016.

“Safe Point is a comprehensive harm reduction program,” Green said. “It is a program that provides support services and access to overdose prevention tools for people who are actively using substances here in Franklin County and across Columbus.”

Once a syringe access program, Safe Point became a syringe exchange program in 2018. Green said the city uses a hybrid system that will distribute syringes to those who need them.

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“What we have formed here in Columbus is actually a hybrid access program where we provide enough syringes to an individual to make sure that they have what they need for that week or a two-week period,” Green said. “Then, they’re encouraged to bring back their syringes for a one-for-one exchange, but we also want to make sure that people have what they need to stay safe and healthy.”

Green said those impacted by overdoses can often be hard to reach for support.

“This is a very challenging population to be able to reach full-stop,” Green said. “A lot of times when you are engaged in active substance use, especially severe and persistent substance use disorder behaviors, you have lost contact with your network of supports or people that would otherwise be able to help connect you to your next resource or whatever you might need to be healthy.”

To access Safe Point services, visit its location at 1267 W. Broad St. The program is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m.

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