The Board of Health wished to inform the community that it has authorized a syringe service program for the Town of Ipswich at their June 6, 2022 Board of Health meeting.

As of July 1, 2016, the local board of health in a Massachusetts city or town may approve the establishment of a syringe services program (SSP) in that city or town.

After approval has been obtained from the board of health, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health chooses a vendor to provide the syringe services program.

Through this program individuals, free of cost, can get sterile needles and syringes, dispose of used needles and syringes, get connected testing for hepatitis C, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, receive overdose education, and obtain Narcan (naloxone).