Supported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Berkshire Harm Reduction Program at Berkshire Medical Center provides several vital services to the community.
Our services include:
- Sexually Transmitted infections, HIV, and Hepatitis C testing for individuals over the age of 13
- The program provides HIV testing to individuals seeking knowledge of their HIV status. Pre-test counseling sessions are individualized to specifically address the needs of each client. Post-test counseling sessions are viewed as a time to reinforce educational efforts begun in the pre-test counseling sessions and to provide appropriate support and referrals. Referrals to infectious disease specialists are done for follow-up evaluations as needed.
- Testing, risk reduction education, and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections is provide to individuals in a supportive and nonjudgmental manner. Referrals for support services are made as needed.
- Hepatitis education and testing for individuals who are at high risk for hepatitis infections, including but not limited to: individuals who had blood transfusions before 1992, who have a history of injection drug use, unprotected sex with an infected individual, or who have used intranasal cocaine. Referrals to providers are made for Hepatitis C+ individuals to facilitate treatment.
- Sharps Disposal Program
- Individuals can bring their used medical needles/syringes (such as those used for insulin) in a sharps container to the program to have these items safely disposed of properly at no cost to the individual.
- Syringe Service Program
- Provides harm reduction, infection prevention, and safe injection education to individuals with substance use disorder.
- The program provides clean equipment and syringes to individuals with substance use disorder to minimize the spread of infection within our community.
- By collecting used syringes, the program wants to prevent the inappropriate disposal of used syringes in our community to prevent unnecessary needlesticks from occurring to our first responders and all members of our community.
- Overdose Education & Naloxone Distribution
- Provide individuals with education on the signs of overdose, the steps that should be taken if an overdose is suspected, and how to correctly use naloxone (Narcan) to reverse an overdose.
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Hepatitis C Treatment & Case Management
Provides treatment for individuals with chronic HCV via telehealth within a harm reduction framework. The complete course of treatment, which is typically 8-12 weeks is fully integrated into the Healthy Steps program meaning participants will receive personalized care through repeated engagement at a singular location. HCV+ individuals are assigned a Case Manager who will complete all necessary bloodwork, coordinate telehealth, arrange medication delivery and/or storage, and assist with other care coordination as needed.
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HIV Health & Prevention
HIV prevention and risk reduction education as well as access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) A medication for people at risk for HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.
Addresses:
Pittsfield
Berkshire Harm Reduction Program
510 North Street, Suite 6-B2
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Hours of Operation - Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm
Phone: 413-447-2654
North Adams
6 West Main St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Phone: 413-398-5603
