ANDERSON – The needle exchange program in Madison County to slow the outbreak of hepatitis C cases in the county will officially start on Aug. 5.
Kellie Kelley, public information officer for the Madison County Health Department, said Life Boat Resources program will take place every Wednesday in different areas of the county from 2 to 5 p.m.
Kelley said fixed sites are located in Elwood, Alexandria and Elwood and on the fourth Wednesday of each month a mobile unit will meet with clients at selected locations. To schedule a meeting with the roving unit, clients should call 810-4583 or 748-0010.
The Health Department received the first shipment of supplies including 17,000 syringes, with 12,000 being supplied through individual and community partners and 5,000 as part of a micro grant from Point Defiance AIDS Project.
Kelley said the local health department will provide quarterly reports to the Indiana State Department of Health on the number of syringes taken in, the number distributed and the number of people taking part in the program.
The health department hopes the needle exchange program will prevent the spread of Hepatitis C and HIV.
Both infections can be contracted by contact with the blood of an infected person.
In 2013, there were 70 new cases of hepatitis C identified in Madison County. The number increased to 130 in 2014, and the current rates will match or surpass last year’s levels.
Madison County was the second needle exchange program approved by the state.