INDIANAPOLIS -- A needle exchange program will soon be coming to Indianapolis after the city council voted unanimously in favor of the plan Monday evening.
Marion County's Public Health Director Virginia Caine proposed the idea last month in response to the spike in hepatitis C cases and a possible surge in HIV cases.
The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 24-0 in favor of the proposal during Monday's meeting.
“The City-County Council has shown that it welcomes and supports the implementation of this program knowing it will greatly improve the public health of Marion County at no added cost to taxpayers,” City-County Council president Vop Osili said after the vote.
In addition to the syringe exchange, the program will provide a number of vital support services including:
- HIV Screening
- Hepatitis C Rapid Screening
- Referral for Substance Use Disorder
- Mental health Treatment
- Immunization Access
Marion County taxpayers will not have to pay for the program.
The Marion County Health Department will now work to buy a mobile unit for the program and determine where it will operate.
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