We are one of the longest running syringe access programs in California.

SANE (Safer Alternatives thru Networking and Education) was founded in 1993 by Rachel Anderson and Jim Britton. We are built on the philosophy of harm reduction - a public health and safety approach to drug use. As harm reductionists, we rely on evidence-based practices to support you in any positive change. This looks like:

Treating everyone with dignity and respect
Involving PWUD (people who use drugs) in all aspects of our programs, including design, implementation, and evaluation
Basing our practices, policies, and programs in evidence
Supporting any positive change as defined by you - the person making the change

Our programs are designed to reduce the harms associated with drug use including: slowing the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, reducing the number of overdoses, and preventing skin and soft tissue infections.

In all things we are committed to the health, quality of life, and human rights of people who use drugs in our community.

Meet our dinosaurs

The dinosaur title began as an inside joke between early members of SANE who lovingly referred to each other as the “dinosaurs” of our organization. As time went on, the title stuck and has been expanded to include future dinosaurs and dinosaur wranglers.

Resident Dinosaurs: folks who have been a big part of building SANE to the organization it is today
Future Dinosaurs: new members who might become resident dinosaurs later
Dinosaur Wranglers: the dinosaurs who are responsible for supporting and organizing the other dinosaurs