Wayne County has received final approval from the state to establish a needle exchange program.
On Friday, State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams declared a public health emergency for the county, the final step necessary before officials could move ahead with their plans for the exchange as they work to reduce the spread of hepatitis C.
Wayne County commissioners unanimously voted on April 20 to approved a resolution that allowed the county to formally ask the state for permission to begin the needle exchange program.
That application was received by the state on May 31. Friday's announcement makes Wayne County the fifth county to receive approval from the state to begin an exchange, joining Fayette, Madison, Monroe and Scott counties.
The announcement came as a bit of a surprise to the Wayne County Health Department.
“We thought it should come soon, and we’re very pleased to learn that our application was accepted,” said Eric Coulter, executive director of the county health department. “We have a public health emergency with our hepatitis C numbers, so something had to be done.”
Coulter also praised the health department’s partners in the application process, Reid Health, the Wayne County commissioners, the county health board and Dr. David Keller, county health officer.
“Everyone worked together to make this happen,” Coulter said.