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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMonroe County will launch a needle exchange program under a public health emergency the state declared Tuesday.
“Monroe County is experiencing an epidemic of hepatitis C tied to intravenous drug use,” said State Heath Commissioner Jerome Adams. “The syringe exchange is part of a comprehensive approach that will connect residents with treatment, healthcare and other services critical to improving their health and halting the spread of disease.”
The health emergency declaration in Monroe County will run for about one year.
Syringe exchange programs became legal for the first time in Indiana earlier this year after Gov. Mike Pence signed a law authored by Sen. Pat Miller, R-Indianapolis, and sponsored by Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany. To launch a needle exchange program, community officials must convince the state it has a hepatitis C or HIV outbreak.
Monroe becomes the fourth county to receive the public health emergency declaration. Earlier this year, the state health commissioner declared public health emergencies in Fayette, Madison, and Scott counties.
Rachel Hoffmeyer is the executive editor of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
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