The Fayette County Health Department is recognizing nine years of needle exchange participation. The syringe exchange program is part of the harm reduction effort. Health Department Team Leader for Harm Reduction John Moses said there were expectations of hundreds showing up on the first day. But Moses said there was initial disappointment with only nine people that day.
“Then we were like nine people did just that. They trusted us enough to come in and get the services that they needed. And we knew how we treated those people was paramount. Because they then went back and told all their friends and family, that it was great, that it wasn’t a setup. That we were good people,” said Moses.
Since September fourth of 2015, four and a half million needles have been exchanged in Fayette County. Moses says there’s been a 90% return rate. He says a Yale study showed how such a syringe exchange resulted in reducing HIV transmission by 50% in those participants.
Moses said needle exchange participants do find their way into treatment.
“We don’t coerce them into treatment. We don’t push them. We just offer the services, remind them every now and then what’s available. And it just kind of naturally happens,” said Moses.
Moses said 87 Kentucky counties today offer some form of needle exchange program. Through the harm reduction program, 70,000 doses of naloxone have also been distributed to facilitate overdose reversals.
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