The final review and discussion of Wayne County’s proposed syringe exchange program has all parties ready for the March 30 public hearing.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners, county health officials and Centerstone CEO Robb Backmeyer met last week and were in favor of the plan, Wayne County Commissioner Mary Anne Butters said.
Centerstone, which provides mental health services, will house the exchange program at one of its facilities.
“We agreed that the plan as presented would go forward to the public hearing,” Butters said. “Both professionals and members of the public may speak at that meeting.”
The public hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. March 30 in the Wayne County Administration Building.
The syringe exchange program will provide clean syringes and needles to users and also safe disposal of used needles to those who are injecting narcotic drugs.
Taxpayers don’t need to be concerned about the program’s cost because it will be paid almost entirely by local grants, said Eric Coulter, executive director of the Wayne County Health Department.
Butters said she supports the program but would like its location to be made public. Medical personnel disagree, she said.