Week two of Lexington’s needle exchange program is scheduled this Friday at the Fayette County Health Department. A health department official calls the first go round an “overwhelming success.”
Health Department Spokesman Kevin Hall says last Friday, 259 used needles were turned in and 170 clean ones were distributed. The program, a local option provision of the state’s heroin law, is aimed at reducing the spread of HIV and hepatitis. Hall says nine people participated last week. “We’re prepared for even larger numbers,” Hall said. “We anticipate seeing the number of participants grow each week as word gets out among needle users that the health department can be trusted.”
Hall says the number of used needles coming in last week varied greatly. “We had people range anywhere from bringing 1 to 40,” he said. “It was just all numbered in between. People were really just showing an interest in helping get those dirty needles off the street, out of playgrounds, out of parks, and into the proper disposal areas here at the health department.”
Hall says, by and large, most used needles came in protective containers. He says some minor modification in signage will happen before the second needle exchange clinic opens this Friday from 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the health department on Newtown Pike. ?
