CLARK COUNTY — An ordinance adopting an HIV and hepatitis C epidemic declaration from the Clark County health officer was formally passed Thursday evening at a county commissioners meeting.
Commissioners voted on the matter July 30, but didn't have a formal ordinance drafted at the time. Now the commissioners are able to request Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams to declare a public health emergency in Clark County, which would allow the county to establish a needle exchange program.
Clark County Health Officer Dr. Kevin Burke told the commissioners that a drug user can use anywhere from four to 12 needles per day. He said participation rates for needle exchange programs can range from 10 to 50 percent of an area's drug users.
The majority of Clark County's population of intravenous drug users is in the southern part of the county, Burke said. A needle exchange would reduce rates of HIV and hepatitis C and help drug users get into treatment, he added.
Before they petition the state health commissioner, Clark County Commissioners have to draft a plan outlining the details of how the needle exchange would operate. Those details are still unclear, but Commissioner Jack Coffman said the county will work with Burke to submit the request as soon as possible.
The state has 10 days to approve or deny the request after receiving it from the commissioners. Burke said he hopes to have a definitive answer as to when the needle exchange will be up and running within the next two months.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller applauded the commissioners for adopting the declaration in a news release. Zoeller also co-chairs the Indiana Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force.
"The hard work of Dr. Burke and the decision by the commissioners demonstrate an example of courageously confronting a public health emergency,” Zoeller said.