Lawrence County declares public health emergency because of hepatitis C outbreak

Dr. Alan Smith, Lawrence County health officer, declared the public health emergency today.

In a press release to the Times-Mail, Smith said hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through intravenous drug use.

The release also said "a syringe exchange program is medically appropriate as part of a comprehensive public health response."

To date, needle exchanges have been approved for four Indiana counties, including Monroe County, which declared a public health emergency in December because of an increase in hepatitis C cases.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who had long opposed needle exchanges as part of drug-control efforts, signed a new law last spring that gave Indiana's health commissioner authority to approve local needle exchange programs.

A needle exchange, interchangeably called a syringe exchange, is a harm reduction method that allows injection drug users to turn in used needles in exchange for clean needles.

Smith said a forum, to be announced later, will provide more information in support of the findings of the declaration.

According to a recent Associated Press story, more than 20 other Indiana counties are expected to seek state approval for needle exchange programs to stem the surge in hepatitis C cases.