You Can Buy Needles Without a Prescription
It is now legal for adults 18 and over to purchase needles from pharmacies without a prescription. Adults can buy and possess needles legally. Pharmacists may ask for proof of the buyer's age but they are not required to report or keep records of sales.
For more information about pharmacy sales and disposal, please call the pharmacy access hotline at 800-988-5209.
Needle Exchange Programs of Massachusetts (en Espaņol)
Stay safe, use clean needles! Click here for a listing of locations where you can exchange needles. Most of these programs require pre-registration so please call the contact person in advance.
BOSTON Boston’s needle exchange program, run by AHOPE. Note: If the van is not at the scheduled site, look for needle exchange program staff on foot, or call toll-free (1-800-383-2437) for information about other exchanges.
Contact: Adam Butler (617) 534-3963
Locations and times to find the AHOPE van:
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Monday |
Albany St. & Northampton St. 7:30- 10:00 am |
LaGrange St. & Washington St. (Downtown)
10:30.-11:30am |
Shattuck Hospital (Morton St./ Jamaica Plain)
1:00-2:00pm |
Shawmut Ave. & Marvin(Dudley Square) 2:30-3:30pm |
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Tuesday |
Albany St. & Northampton St. 7:30- 10:00 am |
LaGrange St. & Washington St. (Downtown)
10:30.-11:30am |
Shattuck Hospital (Morton St./ Jamaica Plain)
1:00-2:00pm |
Shawmut Ave. & Marvin(Dudley Square) 2:30-3:30pm |
Border St. (East Boston) 4:30-6:00pm |
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Wednesday |
Albany St. & Northampton St. 7:30- 10:00 am |
LaGrange St. & Washington St. (Downtown)
10:30.-11:30am
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Shawmut Ave. & Marvin(Dudley Square) 2:30-3:30pm |
Mishawum St. (Charlestown) 4:30-6:00pm |
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Thursday |
Albany St. & Northampton St. 7:30- 10:00 am |
LaGrange St. & Washington St. (Downtown)
10:30.-11:30am |
Shattuck Hospital (Morton St./ Jamaica Plain)
1:00-2:00pm |
|
Damrell St.
(Southie)
4:00-5:00pm |
5:45-9:00pm Street Outreach on Foot. Call 800-383-2437
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Friday |
Albany St. & Northampton St. 7:30- 10:00 am |
LaGrange St. & Washington St. (Downtown)
10:30.-11:30am |
Columbia St. & Stoughton (Upham's Corner) 1:00-2:00pm |
Shawmut Ave. & Marvin(Dudley Square) 2:30-3:30pm |
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CAMBRIDGE Cambridge’s needle exchange program is run by Cambridge Cares About AIDS (CCAA).
Location:
Cambridge Cares About AIDS Drop-In Center 17 Sellers Street, Central Square, Cambridge (off Mass Ave., past YMCA, across from City Hall).
Times:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday: 12pm - 6:00pm
Contact:
Eliza Wheeler Cambridge Needle Exchange Coordinator Cambridge Cares About AIDS 17 Sellers Street Cambridge, MA 02139 Weekdays M, W, R, F: 10am to 6pm, T: 12pm to 6pm Direct Line: (617) 599-0219 Needle Exchange: (617) 599-0246 Fax: (617) 661-2853 Email: ewheeler@ccaa.org
NORTHAMPTON Northampton Needle exchange program is run by Tapestry Health Systems.
Location:
Tapestry Health Systems, 16 Center Street, 4th floor, Northampton.
Times:
Monday - Friday: 7:00am - 5:00pm
Note: Exchange is also generally possible throughout the day at THS.
Contact:
Tim Purington Tapestry Health Systems 16 Center Street Northampton, MA 01060
Monday-Friday 7am to 5pm Direct Line: (413)-586-2016 x124
Needle Exchange: (413) 586-0310, 1-800-696-7752
PROVINCETOWN
Run through the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod
Location: 336 Commercial St, Provincetown.
Times: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00-6:00pm; Thursday & Saturday 12:00-8:00pm (closed Sun. & Mon.)
Contact:
Rick Shaw
508-487-8311
866-668-6448 |