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.

A sharp increase in the number of hepatitis C cases related to intravenous drug use led Marion County to seek a syringe exchange program.

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.

An estimated 1,000 new cases of hepatitis C in 2017, prompted county health officials to declare an epidemic last month.

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

Marion County Public Health Department director Dr. Virginia A. Caine declared a public health epidemic and proposed a syringe exchange program Thursday morning, citing a 1,000 percent increase in the number of hepatitis C cases from 2013 to 2017 and the potential for an HIV outbreak.

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

Clark County's needle exchange had been open each Thursday, for six hours, since it began operations in Jeffersonville in January 2017.