Monroe County again accepts $15,000 grant to benefit needle exchange program

The county commissioners have approved accepting a $15,000 grant from the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis and AIDS United to help with the program. The foundation gave the same amount last year.

County Health Department Administrator Penny Caudill said the money will go to Indiana Recovery Alliance — a nonprofit group the county contracted with to administer the needle exchange program — to cover insurance costs and supplies.

The needle exchange program is more than swapping out a dirty needle for a clean one, Caudill said. 

“It is a comprehensive program. These programs can cost a fair amount of money,” Caudill said, but less than the costs of hospitalization and treatment for infections that are incurred due to dirty needles.

The program also builds a rapport with those who use drugs, and works to connect them with appropriate health and treatment services.