Prevention Point Philadelphia

{{Short description|Public health organization}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = Prevention Point Philadelphia

| image = Prevention_Point_Philadelphia_logo.jpg

| abbreviation = PPP

| image_border =

| size =

| status = Non-profit

| purpose = Syringe service programme

| formation = 1991

| headquarters = 2913-2915 Kensington Avenue

| location_city = Philadelphia

| location_country = United States

| region = Pennsylvania

| leader_title = Interim Lead Executive Officer

| leader_name = Silvana Mazzella

| website = [https://ppponline.org Prevention Point Philadelphia]

}}

Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP) is a nonprofit public health organization providing harm reduction services to Philadelphia and the surrounding area.{{Cite web |title=About Us {{!}} Prevention Point |url=https://ppponline.org/about-us |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=ppponline.org}} Prevention Point Philadelphia was founded by ACT UP Philadelphia, and began syringe exchange program which is also the first one in Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania.{{Cite web |last=Goodin-Smith |first=Oona |date=2023-04-24 |title=Prevention Point Philadelphia head to step down after 16 years: 'It's time for a change for me' |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/prevention-point-philadelphia-jose-benitez-resign-needle-exchange-20230424.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}} Prevention Point Philadelphia provides harm reduction counseling, syringe exchange, medical care, support and education groups, and referrals to social services and drug treatment.

About

= History =

Prevention Point Philadelphia was founded in 1991 based on acts of ACT UP{{Cite web |last=Kase |first=Aaron |date=2017-05-12 |title=Needle Exchanges Are Busier Than Ever Thanks to the Opioid Crisis |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/needle-exchanges-are-busier-than-ever-thanks-to-the-opioid-crisis/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Vice |language=en}} in response to the HIV & AIDS epidemic. At the time, it was illegal to possess syringes in Pennsylvania.{{Cite web |last=Vestal |first=Christine |date=2019-11-17 |title=With safe injection sites, 'Somebody has to go first.' It could be Philadelphia |url=https://www.penncapital-star.com/health-care/with-safe-injection-sites-somebody-has-to-go-first-it-could-be-philadelphia/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Pennsylvania Capital-Star |language=en-US}} Under increasing pressure to respond to the growing epidemic, then Mayor Ed Rendell issued an executive authorizing distribution of syringes within the city.

References

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