BEDFORD, Ind. (AP) _ Lawrence County is still working out the details of its planned needle-exchange program but Public Health Nurse Sherry Lawson says she hopes the program is running by Nov. 1.

Indiana’s health commissioner declared a public health emergency last week in the southern Indiana county that allows local officials to start a needle-exchange to curb the spread of hepatitis C and HIV. It’s the seventh county in the state approved for an exchange program.

Lawson told The Times-Mail the plan is to open the exchange one day a week. She says she expects the program to start slowly.

The Lawrence County Commissioners in July approved the health department’s request to enter into a contract with the Indiana Recovery Alliance in Bloomington to implement and oversee the program.