At Monday night’s Leitchfield City Council meeting, councilmembers voted to approve a request by the Grayson County Board of Health to implement a Harm Reduction Program (HRP), also known as a needle exchange.
This comes after the Board of Health unanimously voted to approve the program in June.
The purpose of a HRP, according to information provided by Grayson County Health Department Director of Public Health Mindy Renfrow, is to:
- Stop the spread of disease, such as Hepatitis and HIV, by decreasing the number of contaminated needles being used and shared
- Reduce the number of law enforcement becoming infected by accidental needle sticks
- Put intravenous drug abusers in front of health professionals and counselors who can assist those seeking help with treatment options and rehab facilities
- Provide free HIV and Hepatitis C testing and counseling
- Promote a decrease in HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases
Leitchfield Dr. Joseph Lee, an internal medicine and pediatric specialist for over 40 years, is a proponent of the needle exchange program, as he told Board of Health members in June that, “A needle exchange will help prevent infection, and it also provides addicts with information on mental health and rehabilitation.”
Dr. Lee also spoke to the City Council on Monday night detailing his beliefs.
At first reticent, but after becoming educated on Harm Reduction Programs, Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center CEO Wayne Meriwether said in June that, “From a health standpoint, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. I was apprehensive at first, but the more I read (the more I began to see the benefits). Anytime you can help someone not spread disease is a good thing. I think it’s a good first step.”
Drug abuse statistics, Harm Reduction Program specifics
In 2016, Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center reported 12 overdose deaths, while in 2017 there were 28 overdose deaths in Grayson County, an increase of 233 percent. Also in 2017, there were 56 reported overdoses in the county, with life-saving Narcan delivered by EMS workers 38 times to overdose victims, and an unknown number of times by local law enforcement.
With Grayson County in the throes of a drug abuse epidemic, some question whether providing free needles to addicts is the intelligent path to take in order to reduce the county’s drug activity.
“It has not been shown that needle exchanges results in an increase in drug abuse,” Dr. Lee said, “It decreases drug abuse.”
Citing the lifetime cost of treating Hepatitis C ($300,000) and HIV ($650,000), Dr. Lee stated that the program would also be “very cost efficient if we can prevent this (the spread of disease). I’m all for the program. I don’t see a downside,” adding, “This is not the final answer (though).”
The Harm Reduction Program would operate as follows:
- Patients will either call or come in voluntarily at a designated time. The visit is confidential, but each patient will be given an ID number. Basic information on the person will be gathered during the initial visit.
- Each patient will then be counseled about HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases that prey on intravenous drug users, and offer free patient testing.
- Officials will assess how many needles the patient needs based on how many times they use. The program will give the patients Sharps containers and inform the patient on how to safely dispose of the needles in the containers. The patient will bring back the needles (disposed in the containers) at the next visit.
- The Grayson County Board of Health will partner with Communicare and have someone readily available to offer counseling and drug treatment options, if needed. Free condoms will also be offered to the patients.
- Other needs will also be assessed and efforts to find resources will be undertaken, such as housing, family planning and food needs.
Financing for the program would come from any number of state and federal grants, according to health officials.
Before the program may be implemented, Grayson County Fiscal Court will also have to give its approval. That vote will likely take place in January.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
