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JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind.
Intravenous drug users participating in the needle exchange program of a southern Indiana county have returned more than 90% of the syringes distributed by the program last month, a rate of back considered "exceptional" by the county's highest health official.
The Clark County program provides clean needles in exchange for used syringes to reduce needle sharing that can lead to the spread of the disease. Participants can receive tests for hepatitis C and HIV, supplies, education, as well as health care and drug treatment.
The program began the year with a return rate of about 70%, but in March alone, the program distributed 5,309 syringes and collected 4,296 syringes returned by program members, and an additional 650 "community syringes", News and Tribune reported.
"This is one of the highest rates I have ever heard of. Any rate of return higher than 70% in a place that does not deceive their number is considered excellent. said Dr. Eric Yazel, Clark County Health Officer. He called the return rate "exceptional".
Jack Coffman, chairman of the Clark County Commissioners, said he was "pleasantly surprised" when he discovered that the return rate was over 93% in March. Coffman added that the program had been launched in Clark County by local authorities and law enforcement.
But since neighboring Scott County had already launched a similar program since 2016, Clark County needed to get more involved, Coffman said.
"We had to help them and we too," he said.
Clark County launched the needle exchange program in January 2017 with state approval following an HIV epidemic in Scott County linked to needles shared. The county has extended the program from one day a week to four in 2018 to increase access.
"All Ministry of Health staff are actively involved in this work," said Yazel. "It's an extremely dedicated team of people who care."
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