Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP)

ppponline.org

Prevention Point Philadelphia gives the following descriptive information:

Prevention Point Philadelphia was founded in 1991 as an underground syringe exchange organization, at a time when the AIDS epidemic was sweeping the nation. In 1992, then Mayor Edward G. Rendell, recognizing the need to control the spread of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis, legalized syringe exchange in Philadelphia. At the time, Philadelphia’s HIV rate for IDU’s was 42%.

Over the years, PPP has evolved into a multi-service public health organization serving the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations of Philadelphia.

Prevention Point Philadelphia takes a harm reduction approach to high risk behaviors. We provide safety measures for those who are at high risk for contracting HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases.


The 2011 HIV/AIDS surveillance report released by the City of Philadelphia showed that of all the high risk groups susceptible to contracting HIV/AIDS, the injection drug use population was the only population to experience a drop in infection rates from 23% in 2004 to 10% in 2010. The City attributes the decline to Prevention Point Philadelphia’s Syringe Exchange Program.

Prevention Point Philadelphia’s services are:

• Syringe Exchange Program.
• Stabilization, Treatment and Engagement (STEP) Program.
• Transhealth Information Project.
• The John Paul Hammond Center for Harm Reduction.
• Prevention Services Programs.

Since 1991, Prevention Point Philadelphia has connected with thousands of individuals, exchanged millions of syringes, provided basic healthcare to almost 10,000 individuals, and helped thousands obtain the health benefits they need. We provided a welcoming environment for those who need a safe, comfortable, and non-judgmental resting place during the day, many of whom have no housing.

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Info

• Facebook: preventionpointphiladelphia