Prevention Point

The JeffHOPE Prevention Point Clinic operates in cooperation with Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP), a private, non-profit needle exchange program committed to protecting the health and rights of intravenous drug users and sex industry workers in Philadelphia. PPP is an organization which attempts to teach behavior modification targeted at risk reduction, including using clean needles for every injection and condoms during sexual encounters. On Saturday mornings between 10:30 and 12:30, PPP parks two recreational vehicles (RVs) at the corner of 3rd and Girard. One RV is used for the needle exchange, while the second RV houses the JeffHOPE Prevention Point medical clinic.  Needle exchangers line up to trade their used needles in for clean ones at the needle exchange and while doing so are offered literature on disease prevention, bleach and water for cleaning needles, and condoms.

Student teams see patients in the second RV.  The clientele include the homeless, the impoverished, the uninsured and even the insured.  During these encounters students compile pertinent medical histories, perform physical exams, and provide treatment for a wide range of medical problems. Many of these problems are a direct result of IV drug use, such as abscesses and cellulitis.  Additionally, students learn the importance of, and the skill involved in taking a thorough social history that includes drug use and sexual history.  Other problems commonly encountered at this site include hepatitis, AIDS and HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and mental illness.

Clinic Director: Janae Heath

• Saturdays, 11am-1:30pm
• 333 W Girard Ave.
• (215) 787-0116

Directions:

From JAH, take 11th Street to Market Street and turn right.  Take Market Street to 3rd Street and turn left.  Take 3rd Street, under the Ben Franklin Bridge, to Girard Avenue.  Turn left on Girard Ave and park on the street.  Prevention Point is held in the RV parked next to the Needle exchange.