Madison County's needle exchange program in jeopardy

That is the question facing the Madison County Council, which tabled a request Tuesday by the Madison County Health Department for an appropriation of $15,000.

Councilman Brent Holland’s motion to table the request was approved, as he seeks an ordinance prohibiting any county or grant money to be used for the purchase of syringes or cookers. He wants public funds used for only educational and treatment items.

The Madison County Commissioners early this year approved the funding to continue the program.

Holland's ordinance is expected to be presented to the council at the July 11 meeting.

Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said distribution of syringes in a kit with a portable cooker, alcohol swabs and saline water solution by the health department is a crime.

“They are distributing paraphernalia,” he said. “The only thing missing is the heroin and a lighter.”

Councilman Anthony Emery, an Indiana State Police trooper, said he arrests people for possession of paraphernalia, similar to what is distributed by the health department.

Stephanie Grimes of the health department said no state or federal funds can be used for the purchase of syringes, and the supplies used by the health department come from private donations.

Council attorney Tom Beeman said the council could prohibit the use of funds, but could not stop the distribution of donated syringes.

“They can distribute needles,” Cummings said. “They have no legal authority to distribute the other items.

“This is not a needle exchange, it’s a needle giveaway,” he said.

Cummings said over the past three years, 700 people died in Madison County from drug overdoses.

“I understand the health problems of hepatitis C and HIV,” he said. “The problem is people are dying. If this was the answer, every county would be on board.”

Emery asked if the county was enabling the health department to violate the law.

“Absolutely,” Cummings responded.

Councilman Mike Gaskill said there was passionate discussion from all parties involved.

“Your heart is in the right place,” he said to Grimes. “The things we're distributing to people, they can be arrested for. We have to respect the law. I don’t think we should distribute these items or fund this.”

Councilman Clayton Whitson asked if there was a suggestion for an alternative to the needle exchange program.

Cummings said it’s getting people into treatment programs.

Grimes said the health department offers people treatment options, but that space is limited in the Madison County facilities.

She said it may take two or three times before a person is talked into participating in a treatment program.

She said 90 percent of the needles being distributed were returned in May, a figure that Cummings disputed.

“We’re funding something that is illegal,” Emery said. “We should not be supporting this program.”

Cummings said in 2016 there were 600 people charged in Madison County for possession of a syringe.

“It’s not good policy,” he said.

Whitson said he hoped a compromise could be reached between the Health Department and the law enforcement community before the July meeting.