Safe syringes and naloxone
Overview
We provide services to:
- Keep our city safe from syringe litter
- Help people get:
- Free clean syringes
- Free naloxone (NARCAN)
In this section:
Learn about the state law that protects people who help those who overdose.
Safe needle disposal
Professional needle disposal kits
We also created a professional safe needle pick-up kit.
The pilot program offers a very limited number of free kits to residents.
Five fire stations around the city will each carry five kits that will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis.
Minneapolis fire station locations:
- Fire Station 2 – 143 13th Ave. NE
- Fire Station 6 – 121 E 15th St.
- Fire Station 7 – 2000 E Franklin Ave.
- Fire Station 14 – 2002 Lowry Ave.
- Fire Station 17 – 330 E 38th St.
Drop boxes
Syringe drop boxes are an effective way to decrease syringe litter. You can find drop boxes in neighborhoods around the city.
Picking up needles without proper training could be dangerous. If you come across syringes in your community or you need information on drop box locations, contact 311.
Safe syringe and naloxone services
Services provided
Safe syringe services provided by public health organizations include:
- HIV and hepatitis C prevention and testing
- Naloxone (Narcan) kits and training
- Sterile syringes at no cost
- Referrals for substance abuse treatment and recovery support
Syringe exchange and free naloxone
These organizations provide syringe services to area residents:
Good Samaritan law
Surviving an opioid overdose
When a person overdoses on opioids:
- They need medical help quickly. This includes the life-saving medication naloxone (Narcan).
- Someone with the person who overdosed might fear being arrested. This can prevent them from seeking or giving help.
Protection from prosecution
Minnesota's Good Samaritan law provides limited protection from criminal prosecution.
- The law encourages those who witness overdoses to seek help.
- Also known as Steve's Law, this law is named after Steve Rummler. Steve passed from an opioid overdose in 2011.
Resources
We’ve created posters and flyers with information on the Good Samaritan Law to help community members.
Contact us
Minneapolis Health Department
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415