Fayette County needle exchange contract approved

The Fayette County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a contract with the hospital, allowing it to take over the program. The hospital is finalizing a location for it, according to Randy White, chief executive officer.

Fayette County Commissioners must approve having the needle exchange but the county does not have to operate it, according to Leota King, president of the commissioners. The contract states that Fayette County will not pay the hospital to run the program.

The needle exchange program provides clean syringes for people with illicit drug habits, trying to prevent the spread of hepatitis and other diseases that can be picked up from previously used needles.

The program had been operated by the Fayette County Health Department. The hospital hired the Health Department’s staff member who had operated the program. The county Health Board agreed that the program could move with her.