Sterile Syringe Access in Illinois

Sterile Syringes Save Lives
HIV and hepatitis C are both spread by sharing syringes. Individuals who inject drugs can reduce their risk of HIV and hepatitis C by using a sterile syringe for each and every injection. Study after study proves that increasing public access to sterile syringes reduces the spread of these diseases without increasing drug use.

Adults Can Buy Syringes at Pharmacies without a Prescription
Illinois law permits adults 18 years of age and older to purchase up to 20 syringes at their local pharmacy without a prescription. Customers who have experienced difficulty in purchasing syringes without a prescription at their pharmacy are encouraged to contact the AIDS Foundation of Chicago Syringe Access and Disposal This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at (312) 922-2322. Many Illinois pharmacies also provide free sharps containers and educational materials about proper disposal and drug treatment to customers buying syringes without a prescription. Find out if your local pharmacy participates in the Sharps Container Program.

Syringe Exchange Program Services
Individuals injecting drugs can also access sterile syringes and other harm reduction services through syringe exchange programs (SEPs), such as those listed below.

Chicago Recovery Alliance
Community Outreach Intervention Projects
Safety Wellness And Prevention Project
Sisters and Brothers Helping Each Other
Test Positive Aware Network
Total Health Awareness Team

Media News

Safe Syringe Disposal:
Sharps Container Program

Overdose Prevention:
Naloxone Training Video

Harm Reduction Organizations:
Harm Reduction Coalition

North American Syringe Exchange Network

International Harm Reduction Association

Syringe Access Advocacy
Background on IL Law