Syringe exchange program to remain in Lafayette
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – The Syringe Exchange Program in Tippecanoe County is sticking around.
Commissioners voted 2-1 Monday morning to extend the program.
Commissioner Dave Byers was the deciding vote. He told WLFI two weeks ago that his vote would be based on facts and what was presented at the Monday meeting.
At that meeting, the Tippecanoe County Health Department presented the latest statistics regarding the Gateway to Hope Program.
Health Officer Dr. Jeremy Adler said in 2017 that the county had 154 new cases of Hepatitis C. Adler asked commissioners for more time for the program to see those Hepatitis C numbers go down. He said the program has seen people from all walks of life since it started in August. So far, the return rate has been 85 percent. It has distributed 8,149 needles but has collected 9,395 due to the fact it collects needles in general, not just from the program. Out of the 111 participants, 85 percent have been tested for Hepatitis C and 37 have tested positive.
A letter to commissioners written by a participant in the program was read. That person asked commissioners to keep the program and explained how it is helping her.
The program is at 629 N. Sixth St. Recently, the health department announced a mobile exchange unit would be parked once a month at IU Health Arnett Family Medicine on Salem Street in Lafayette.
Several neighbors voiced concerns about the location of the program Monday. Many concentrated on the possibility of finding dirty needles in the community.
As WLFI previously reported, the health department does a weekly cleanup to make sure needles are not found on the streets as a result of the program. So far, the department has only found two needles. Volunteers pick up trash in the process. Without the program, the health department says it will no longer do the weekly clean sweeps.
The exchange has only been approved for another year at this time.