Lexington new health commissioner gave an update on the status of the city's needle exchange program Tuesday.
Dr. Kraig Humbaugh told council members that just over 20,000 used needles had been brought in and more than 21,000 clean needles were given out. Since the first needle exchange on September 4, 2015, 376 clients have made over 1000 visits.
Humbaugh says the department is considering adding a second site. “We only have one satellite site right now," said Humbaugh. "It’s at the south part of town, so that’s certainly a possibility because it’s already a health department site," he added.
The current needle exchange occurs for 2 1/2 hours on Friday afternoons at the Health Department on Loudon Ave. Following the initial startup, Humbaugh says new clients have made up about 20 to 40 percent of those participating each month.?
