The county recently saw its 49th confirmed opioid-related death for 2017. There were 44 opioid-related deaths in 2016 and 42 in 2015.

The program is designed for young adults with intellectual development disabilities, many of whom advocates say should have more control than traditional guardianship allows.

Gov. Eric Holcomb says it's an example of why states are better prepared to meet the health care needs of residents.

Wayne County ranks fourth in the state in Hepatitis C cases. They will work with Centerstone and Reed Health regional hospital to fund and staff the program.

Offenders arrested for using or possessing small amounts of drugs and other petty crimes driven by drug use will be given the choice to take part in the program.

Wayne County Health Department Director Eric Coulter told the County Council last week that the department's board is moving closer to asking the state health commissioner to approve a needle exchange for the county under the law that legislators approved this spring.