July 22, 2015

Clark County Considering Needle Exchange

Barbara Brosher
Clark County is considering a needle exchange program to combat the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. - file photo

Clark County is considering a needle exchange program to combat the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C.

file photo

Clark County, just north of Louisville, is considering implementing a needle exchange program to prevent an HIV outbreak similar to the one that’s plagued neighboring Scott County.

Clark County Public Health Officer, Dr. Kevin Burke has already declared a public health emergency. He says the county’s HIV and Hepatitis C rates are 25 to 30 percent higher than the state average.

That’s why he’s asking the county to consider implementing a needle exchange program – to prevent those cases from spiking even more.

County commissioners will hold a meeting July 30 to get public input on the potential needle exchange program before taking a vote.

The exchange would have to be approved by the State Health Commissioner would have to approve the exchange before being it could be implemented.

Tags:syringe exchangehepatitis CHIVClark County
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