Commissioners in Madison County have failed to extend the county's needle exchange, halting local efforts to prevent the spread of diseases among intravenous drug users by providing them with clean needles.

Wayne County commissioners voted unanimously last week to extend the program until July 1, 2021. The exchange began in August 2016 in an effort to reduce the spread of hepatitis C tied to heroin abuse.

Indiana's syringe exchange programs will get "another year of certainty" after a bill extending them was sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb Thursday for his signature.

Indiana's syringe exchange programs are one step closer to staying open another year. The Indiana House passed a bill Tuesday that includes language to extend the programs.

Indiana House leaders say theyll try to extend by at least one year local syringe exchange programs that are set to expire in 2021. The programs are in danger of elimination after the Senate rejected an effort to extend them indefinitely.

The county's program provides clean syringes in exchange for used ones to reduce needle-sharing that can lead to the spread of disease.

The county's needle exchange aims to prevent the spread of diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV through the sharing of infected needles.

Needle exchange programs involve locations where people who inject drugs can receive clean, sterile syringes and other supplies necessary to safely inject and properly dispose of used syringes.

The Madison County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a contract with Aspire Indiana to manage the program for two years.

The Wayne County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to continue the program.