Effective April 30, 2013 the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (HSA) began administering the Syringe Services Program (SSP). The primary goal of the SSP is to work in partnership with the community to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases associated with injection drug use and to address the community's concern regarding improperly discarded syringes.
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).
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*A Project of Community Health and Prevention Programs (Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency)
1060 Emeline Ave. Room 105 Santa Cruz, CA. 95060 Hours of Operation: Mondays: 10am - 1pm Tuesdays: 5pm - 7pm Wednesdays: 4pm - 6pm Thursdays: 4pm - 6pm Fridays: 10am - 1pm Please use north entrance of Building F (see map)
1430 Freedom Blvd. Suite D Watsonville, CA. 95076 Hours of Operation: Mondays 3:30pm - 4:30pm Tuesdays 10:30am - 11:30am Wednesdays 10:30am - 11:30am and 3:30pm - 4:30pm Thursdays 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Please use Crestview Dr. side entrance of building D and ring the door bell (see map)
Both exchange locations are closed on County holidays.
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 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
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