The Lexington-Fayette Health Department is expanding it’s needle exchange program. The program, launched in the fall of 2015, now offers clean needles in exchange for used syringes on Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 to 6:00.
Previously the program only operated on Friday from 11:00 to 4:00. Health Department Spokesman Kevin Hall says needle exchange opportunities could continue to expand.
“Do I think that this is it, as far as expansion. I don’t think that. I think that we are always looking at ways to improve, whether it’s going to be later hours, another day, another location, special sites, special one day clinics,” said Hall. “We’re always looking at the best way to protect the public.”
Hall says partner agencies’ help make the program a success. “We don’t have anybody on staff that can do the referrals to rehab, so having both a city agency and then another outside agency with bluegrass-dot-org stepping up to help is tremendous. And then AVOL has long been a community partner,” said Hall.
AVOL is Aids Volunteers Incorporated. Hall says the program is focused on reducing the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. The health department official says more than 27 hundred people have used the program, averaging about 175 each Friday.