AUSTIN, Ind. (AP): A southern Indiana county at the epicenter of the worst HIV outbreak in Indiana history is seeking state permission to implement a yearlong needle exchange program.
Scott County public health nurse Brittany Combs says county commissioners voted Wednesday to make the request. A measure lawmakers approved and Gov. Mike Pence signed this month allows communities to seek state approval to run needle exchanges if they can prove they're facing an HIV or hepatitis C epidemics fueled by intravenous drug use.
Pence signed an order in March allowing a 30-day needle-exchange program for Scott County to prevent additional infections. He later reauthorized that program through May 24.
Combs says the exchange program has produced “a lot of good results'' and has resulted in many people entering rehabilitation programs.
