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Safe Use and Overdose Prevention Program (SUOPP)

Program Description

On September 24, 2024, the County of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors approved the recommendation to rename the Syringe Services Program (SSP) to Safe Use and Overdose Prevention Program. The program name "Safe Use and Overdose Prevention Program (SUOPP)" was positively endorsed by many program participants, program staff, and the community. 

Review item 38, Syringe Services Program updates for the Board of Supervisors Regular Agenda for September 24, 2024.

Download the Agenda Item Board Memo

The initiative to rename the Syringe Services Program was driven by the need to highlight the program’s wide array of services that extend beyond syringe exchange services.  Our dedicated teams work closely with community partners to prevent and reduce the harms associated with drug use by: 

  • Providing harm reduction supplies
  • Supporting syringe clean-up initiatives
  • Connecting participants to substance use treatment services
  • Referrals to integrated behavioral health
  • Connecting participants to critical medical care (vaccinations, wound treatment, sexual health, and more) 
  • Educational resources to help improve the health and well-being of our program participants
  • View a detailed program description
  • SSP Policy & Procedures
  • Summary Points
  • SSP Advisory Commission Program Updates:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In the interest of transparency and full disclosure regarding HSA’s Syringe Exchange Program, the Public Health Department has put together these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Data, Reports & Updates

Click here to send comments about these reports

Advisory Commission Meetings

2023 Meeting Calendar

Notice:

Effective March 31, 2024, Santa Cruz County Code Chapter 2.125 has been repealed and the Syringe Services Program Advisory Commission has been dissolved. No further commission meetings will be held. For information regarding the Syringe Services Program, please visit Syringe Services Program (santacruzhealth.org).

This website has been preserved for informational purposes only and will be available through October 1, 2024. To request any available records, please submit a request via NextRequest or by contacting Socorro Gutierrez at Socorro.Gutierrez@santacruzcountyca.gov.

For questions about Santa Cruz County Commissions, Committees or Advisory Bodies, please email the Clerk of the Board by emailing CommissionsSCC@santacruzcountyca.gov or by dialing (831-454-2323).

 

Information Resources

Other Information/Web Links

In the News

 

*A Project of Community Health and Prevention Programs
(Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency)

Exchange Schedule & Sites

Safe Use and Overdose Prevention Program (SUOPP) is performing Mobile Exchange with Street Medicine in the City of Santa Cruz on Wednesdays and in Watsonville on Thursdays

1060 Emeline Ave.
Room 105

Santa Cruz, CA. 95060
Please use north entrance of Building F (see map)
Hours of Operation:
Mondays
10am - 1pm
Tuesdays
5pm - 7pm
Thursdays
4pm - 6pm
Fridays
10am - 1pm

1430 Freedom Blvd.
Suite B
Watsonville, CA. 95076

Please use entrance near the front of Suite B (parking lot side) (see map)
Hours of Operation:
Tuesdays
10:30am - 1:30am
Fridays
9am - 11am
Please note, our Monday and Wednesday exchange shifts in Watsonville have been suspended and our Tuesday shift has been extended to 1:30pm.

Exchange locations are closed on County holidays.

 

Community Resources

Public Sharps Disposal


What to do if you find syringes in the community

First determine if they present a threat to public safety. If so, call 911, and the Sheriff’s office or city police will be dispatched depending on the location of the property.

If no threat to public safety:

  • If outside City of Santa Cruz call the Sheriff’s non-emergency line at 831-471-1121 to report.
  • If within City of Santa Cruz click here to report.

If syringes are found on private property in an unincorporated area of the county: 

Call Environmental Health at 831-454-2022 to report and request removal.

Contact information for cities without a specific protocol for pick up:

City of Capitola

City of Scotts Valley

City of Watsonville

Click here to send a comment/feedback to our Public Health Department

For information about the SSP Program call
(831) 454-2437