Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Offering Syringes Along With Prayers, Churches Help IV Drug Users

From Kaiser Health-

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, launched its syringe exchange program last November. Shelby Carrothers, a church member, saw the need for one while offering HIV testing during a weekly free hot meal. She discovered that most of the people being tested identified as IV drug users.

Carrothers said that while providing clean syringes is a critical service, “Almost equally important is that we provide a nonjudgmental space to talk about what they’re going through and answer questions that they might otherwise be afraid to ask.”

Sherman Terry, 40, is among those who’ve found help at St. Paul’s. A former IV drug user, he came for a hot meal and has received a lot more.


More here-

http://khn.org/news/offering-syringes-along-with-prayers-churches-help-iv-drug-users/

No comments: