INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Department of Health declared a public health emergency for Lawrence County Friday afternoon. The Lawrence County Health Department announced it will start a needle exchange program to help reduce the spread of hepatitis C.
“As we fight the national opioid epidemic, we’ve seen time and again that rising hepatitis C rates can be a sign that injection drug use is occurring in a community,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams. “Syringe exchange is one tool that can help prevent the spread of disease, so long as it’s part of a response that also includes access to testing, treatment and other services critical to improving individuals’ health.”
RELATED | Indiana counties must fund needle exchanges sans state help
Adams approved the third needle exchange program in Indiana in April 2015. The first was approved in Scott County, just 30 miles north of Louisville.
RELATED | Indiana approves 1st needle exchange program under new law
The program will run until September 29, 2017.
