All non-essential services and buildings will remain closed until further notice. However, limited services at India Street Public Health Center will be available.

New! Contact-Free Needle Exchange Services and Naloxone Distribution are now available at 103 India St. on a limited schedule. Details Below:

• What: Contact-free Needle Exchange and Naloxone Distribution Services
• When: Monday - Friday
• Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
• Where: 103 India St. Portland, ME
• How: The Clinic is not open to the public. Please read the information below on how to access these services.

How to Access Contact-Free Needle Exchange Services and Naloxone Distribution Services

1. For Clients with cell phone access:

• Go to India St. Public Health Center, but remain in the parking lot.
• Call staff at 207-756-8022 to request supplies.
  • Staff will ask for your client number and details of your exchange- how many needles you have and how much supplies you need. If you are new to the exchange, please call the number and staff will enroll you over the phone.
• Staff will meet you in the parking lot with all necessary items including a sharps bin for disposal. Please remain 6 feet from each other and staff members.
  • If multiple clients are there at the same time, clients will be asked to remain in their car or remain apart from one another. One client will be served at a time and items will be clearly marked with the client's exchange number.
• You will be asked to leave once you've received your new items and disposed of used items.

2. For Clients without cell phone access:

• Go to India St. Public Health Center and ring the doorbell for staff assistance.
• Staff will greet you through the door and provide a paper supply form.
  • To minimize contact, the supply form will be slipped under the door.
• Once you have completed the order form, please stand near the picnic table to wait for staff to bring out your supplies.
• Staff will gather the requested supplies and bring them to the parking lot. Please remain 6 feet from each other and staff members.
  • If multiple clients are there at the same time, clients will be asked to remain in their car or remain apart from one another. One client will be served at a time and items will be clearly marked with the client's exchange number.
• You will be asked to leave once you’ve received your new items and disposed of used items. 

Street outreach is continuing to operate on the corner of Oxford Street and Elm Street at the following times:

• Monday: 8:00am - 9:00am
• Tuesday: 8:00am - 9:00am; 4:00pm - 5:00pm
• Wednesday: 8:00am - 9:00am; 12:00pm - 1:30pm
• Thursday: 8:00am - 9:00am; 4:00pm - 5:00pm
• Friday: 8:00am - 9:00am
• Saturday: 8:00am - 9:00am
• Sunday: 8:00am - 9:00am

Please check back here for updates or contact Zoe Brokos for more information and/or to be connected to resources: zop@portlandmaine.gov
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The Portland Needle Exchange Program (NEP) is located at 103 India Street  in Portland and can be reached via phone at (207) 756-8022. 

All NEP participants receive education on risk reduction, overdose prevention education, naloxone, case management services, testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, STDs and referrals to drug treatment programs upon request.

If you are interested in signing up, please come to our location on India Street. There is a phone you may use to page one of the staff or volunteers and you will get enrolled quickly and anonymously. You will be given a Client ID card and offered testing and naloxone in addition to clean supplies. You will be brought into the exchange room and asked a few basic questions regarding demographics and risk assessment. You will never be asked any personal information.

If your agency is interested in Harm Reduction or Overdose Response trainings, please call 207-756-8024 or 207-756-8077.