Scott Co. health officials aim to extend needle exchange

AUSTIN, Ind. (WISH) – There are 150 HIV cases confirmed in the Indiana outbreak, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

Scott County health officials are working to extend the needle exchange program, to keep that number from growing.

Scott County Public Health Nurse Brittany Combs said the exchange can prevent the spread of HIV. That is why she and other county health officials are seeking approval from the state health commissioner to extend the program one year.

“It took us so long to get the ball rolling. Needle exchange takes a while to build the trust,” Combs said. “I think we’re finally getting there and I think it’s very important that we continue to do that.”

Combs said officials have to hold a public hearing before the extension can happen. She said county health workers will also attend a commissioner’s meeting next week to discuss the plan.

The extension is possible because of a state law that passed this week. Combs is praising Gov. Mike Pence for signing that bill.

“I think he did the smart thing and he listened to the experts, the Indiana State Department of Health. He has some fabulous people that work there,” Combs said.

Not everyone in Scott County agrees with every part of the needle exchange. Austin resident William Ferguson, for example, feels participants should be arrested.

“If they’re on drugs, take them to jail. But I don’t see anything like that happening around here,” Ferguson said.

Health workers are also trying to locate and test 26 people who may have been exposed to HIV. That number is down significantly from Tuesday of last week, when they were looking for 120 people.