Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction Saves Lives

Harm reduction is an approach to preventing overdoses and infectious disease transmission by encouraging individuals who use drugs to use them in the safest manner possible. Not everyone is ready or able to break their addiction, but by meeting them where they are at, we can help keep them safe until they are ready.

According to the NYS Department of Health, in 2021, Greene County had the second highest opioid overdose death rate out of 57 upstate counties and the highest death rate for overdoses involving heroin.  To reduce overdose deaths and improve the health of our community, the Public Health Department is implementing a new confidential system where residents can request free Harm Reduction Supplies.

Request a Prevention Kit SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

Project Needle Smart

DO NOT throw loose sharps in trash or recycling or flush down a toilet - KEEP AWAY from childrenProject Needle Smart serves as a community safe sharps collection program in support of alternative needle/syringe disposal throughout the Capital Region. It offers awareness on proper access and disposal of needles and syringes.

You can help prevent injury, illness and pollution by learning about safe disposal of sharps.

If you have used or unwanted needles, or would like a free sharps container, please visit one of our drop-off kiosk locations. All kiosks are outside and have 24/7 access unless otherwise noted.

Greene County Kiosks

Cairo — CVS Pharmacy, Routes 23 & 32
OR Hannaford, 223 Main Street

Catskill — Greene County Office Building, stairs at Water Street entrance
OR Greene Medical Arts Pharmacy, 159 Jefferson Hts
(box inside: M-F 8a-5p; Sat 9a – 2p; Sun closed)

Coxsackie — EmUrgent Care, 11835 Route 9W

East Durham — Durham Town Hall, 7309 Route 81

Greenville — Kelly’s Pharmacy 4852 Route 81
(box inside: M-F 9a-7p; Sat 9a – 5p; Sun 9a-3p)

Tannersville —Hunter Ambulance, 5740 Route 23A

Windham — Windham Pharmacy, 68 Route 296

Columbia County Kiosks

Livingston — Hannaford, 32 NY-82

Valatie — Hannaford, 2967 Route 9

Hudson — Hudson Police Department, 701a Union Street

The Greene County Public Health Department’s Project Needle Smart was recognized as a 2014 Model Practice Award recipient by the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) for a program that demonstrates exemplary and replicable qualities in response to a critical local public health need.

Overdose data are compiled by the Greene County Public Health Department, with the support of grant funding from the NYSDOH and the CDC Foundation. For inquiries relating to this data, please contact Veronica Salvas at vsalvas@pcgus.com.

View the OPIOID STATISTICS Dashboard

Find a dropbox and dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired prescription and non-prescription medication to:

  • Prevent drug abuse
  • Prevent accidental overdose
  • Prevent accidental poisoning of children and pets
  • Reduce crime by keeping drugs off the street
  • Reduce environment pollution
  • Protect our local nature and water supplyFor information regarding substance use, please visit the Columbia Greene Addiction Coalition
    (CGAC)