INDIANAPOLIS – Madison County is one of nine counties approved to conduct a needle exchange program, but that number could increase if a new law passes.
The Indiana General Assembly, following the lead of Gov. Eric Holcomb, looks to give every county the option of implementing its own program without the state’s permission.
Over the past couple of years, the Indiana State Department of Health declared public health emergencies for counties like Clark, Scott and Wayne following outbreaks of HIV and Hepatitis C. Needle exchange programs launched in these areas following outbreaks.
Health officials said the goal of the needle exchange program is to reduce the spread those diseases, but not everyone agrees with them.
Opponents believe the program enables drug use by allowing people to swap used syringes for new needles and supplies.
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Stephanie Grimes, public health coordinator in Madison County, said the number of people taking part in the program continues to grow. In January alone, she logged 125 visits and handed out 22,500 needles.
Despite the spike in participation, she said knowing if the program is reaching its goal is a, “tricky question.”
“Everyone wants to know is it working, how do we know if it's working? Prevention is tricky that way, it's hard to tell how many cases you've prevented. If I give out 300 needles, I like to think that's 300 times an infection was prevented,” she said.
Grimes estimates the return rate for used needles is about 65 percent.
Health department officials haven’t disclosed which counties might pursue the program, as the agency only tracks those that have formally requested state approval to launch.
State lawmakers could take a final vote on expanding the program to more counties sometime this week.
For more information on hepatitis C, click here.
