Health department begins needle exchange program to prevent spread of disease

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. – The Barren River District Health Department has announced plans to begin a Harm Reduction Syringe Exchange Program in Logan County.

According to the department, the program will help reduce opioid overdose rates, lower the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C and link people who use drugs to life-saving treatment resources.

The health department received over $17,000 from United Way in order to get approval for the program.

“I don’t think any of us are condoning drug use or the behaviors that can go along with drug use,” said Ashley Carter, director of community impact at United Way of Southern Kentucky.

This will be the third needle exchange program under the Barren River District Health Department and the 63rd in the state.

These programs protect the public and first responders from accidental needle sticks by providing locations for safe syringe disposal.

“If you’re a restaurant worker or really anything working with the public and if you’ve used dirty needles or if you are sharing needles, you are just really putting yourself along with the people you were coming in contact with at risk,” said Jacky Hunt, director of South Central Kentucky Drug Task Force.

According to the CDC, new clients of needle exchange programs are five times more likely to enter treatment than those who do not.

“Along with the needle exchange, they always give them resources. If someone wants to get help, they are there to help them, they listen, and they put them in touch with the proper agencies and person that can help them,” said Carter.

Law enforcement officials are also reassuring the community, they are not using these syringe exchange opportunities to find drug users.

“They’re not going to have to worry about law-enforcement hiding around the corner to try to jump them because they’re bringing in needles or whatever, that’s not what we’re about, not what we’re going to do. We don’t have time. We are not after drug seeking behavior anyway, we are after drug dealers,” said Hunt.

Since August 2016, needle exchange programs in Warren and Barren counties have kept over 63,000 used needles off the streets of our community.