{"id":57105,"date":"2024-09-19T17:06:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T21:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=57105"},"modified":"2024-09-20T16:04:41","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T20:04:41","slug":"uconnectcare-providing-harm-reduction-vending-machines-at-batavia-albion-offices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/09\/19\/uconnectcare-providing-harm-reduction-vending-machines-at-batavia-albion-offices\/","title":{"rendered":"UConnectCare providing Harm Reduction vending machines at Batavia, Albion offices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

John Bennett and Erin Phelps of UConnectCare stand next to the Harm Reduction vending machine located at the agency\u2019s office at 5130 East Main St. Rd. (provided photo)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Press release:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UConnectCare is expanding its support services to those struggling with substance use disorder by placing Harm Reduction Vending Machines at agency sites in Batavia and Albion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One machine is located in the entrance of space leased by the agency in the front right corner of the building at 5130 East Main St. Rd., Suite 5, Batavia, and the other can be found at the agency\u2019s Albion clinic at 249 East Ave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNew York State\u2019s Office of Addiction Supports & Services identifies Harm Reduction practices as part of the treatment continuum and a way to reduce overdose deaths \u2013 and we at UConnectCare are on board with that school of thought,\u201d said UConnectCare Chief Executive Officer John Bennett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHarm Reduction is an important tool to keeping people alive so that we can provide brief interventions that move them towards treatment. It\u2019s a patient-centered approach allowing people to make informed decisions about their treatment needs, just like other medical issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erin Phelps, the agency\u2019s Harm Reduction project director, said the free vending machines remove the cost barriers to those seeking safer use supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf anyone needs these items, they can come to these offices and dispense them with no questions asked,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phelps said those accessing the supplies will have the opportunity to meet with a member of the Harm Reduction staff but are under no obligation to do so or to accept literature focusing on treatment and\/or recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The machines will be stocked with harm reduction kits, naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl and xylazine test strips, drug disposal bags, hygiene kits and other items \u2013 all at no charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Batavia, they will be accessible from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and during open access hours. In Albion, items from the machine can be utilized from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, the agency (formerly Genesee\/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) announced a Harm Reduction Mobile Outreach unit that visits several locations in the two counties five days per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phelps emphasized the overarching goal of harm reduction is \u201cto keep people alive and being ready to help them if and when they\u2019re ready to seek help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk-ins are welcome to utilize Open Access. The program\u2019s hours of service are 4-6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays at 5130 East Main St. Rd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about harm reduction services, opioid overdose prevention training and to see the mobile unit schedule, go to www.uconnectcare.org<\/a>, the UConnectCare or The Recovery Station Facebook pages or send an email to harmreduction@uconnectcare.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

John Bennett and Erin Phelps of UConnectCare stand next to the Harm Reduction vending machine located at the agency\u2019s office at 5130 East Main St. Rd. (provided photo) Press release: UConnectCare is expanding its support services to those struggling with substance use disorder by placing Harm Reduction Vending Machines at \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":57106,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,6],"tags":[3942],"class_list":["post-57105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genesee-county","category-orleans-county","tag-uconnectcare"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-eR3","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":50675,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/02\/13\/genesee-orleans-federal-grant-opens-door-for-uconnectcare-to-provide-harm-reduction-services-mobile-unit\/","url_meta":{"origin":57105,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS\/Federal grant opens door for UConnectCare to provide harm reduction services, mobile unit","author":"aka","date":"February 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Johnny Vidal, Outreach Peer Specialist, and Erin Phelps, Harm Reduction Coordinator\/Case Manager, stand next to UConnectCare's mobile unit that travels to different locations in Genesee and Orleans counties to help those struggling with substance use disorder. 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