Used needles are disposed in designated plastic containers in Scott County. The Monroe County commissioners unanimously voted Friday to uphold the public health emergency due to an increase in hepatitis C infections due to injection drug use that the county health officer declared two weeks ago. David Snodgress | Herald-Times
Monroe County is one declaration away from starting a needle exchange program.
The county commissioners unanimously voted this morning to uphold the public health emergency due to an increase in hepatitis C infections due to injection drug use that the county health officer declared two weeks ago. The commissioners’ vote is the final step local government can take before getting approval from the Indiana Department of Health to begin a needle exchange program, which allows injection drug users to exchange used needles for clean syringes.
“I think it’s for the best and for the health of our community,” Commissioner Iris Kiesling said before the vote. “So many people come in and out of our community every year that it’s essential we address this now.”
During a little less than an hour of public comment, representatives from Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital, county and state government and the Monroe County Board of Health expressed support for the health department’s request to start a needle exchange program.
“I think many of us know people, know families that have been affected by drug overdose,” said state Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington. “You’re not advocating an increase in drug use. Really, it’s proven syringe exchanges do not increase drug use or drug dependence. It just is a matter of eliminating or reducing infection.”
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