The Syringe Access Fund (SAF), an organization that advocates nationally for syringe exchange programs, has awarded 55 grants totaling $1.98 million raised through a collaborative funding initiative, according to an SAF statement. SAF provides policy recommendations and grants to reduce the risk of HIV, hepatitis C and other blood-borne pathogens among injection drug users and their sexual partners. The joint funding initiative was led by the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Levi Strauss Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Irene Diamond Fund and AIDS United.

To read the SAF statement, click here.