5 Kentucky Counties Will Share Mobile Syringe Exchange

LONDON, Ky. (AP) – A needle exchange will soon be conducted in five counties in eastern Kentucky.

WYMT-TV reports that a grant from the Kentucky Department of Public Health is funding a van that will be equipped in exchange for syringes and shared between Knox, Laurel, Whitley, Clay and Jackson counties.

Health managers said the van would serve other purposes than negotiating clean needles for dirty needles. Laurel County Health Department Director Mark Hensley said health officials could also test for HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis vaccines. A. In addition, he stated that they would also provide resources to addicts to help them get out of their addiction.

The mobile unit should start in a few months.