COVINGTON, Ky. – Kenton County became the second Northern Kentucky county to approval a needle exchange program when officials recently OK'd the plan.
However, for the program to move forward, at least one more county will need to sign on. Grant County officials have also agreed to the plan, but they need three of the four – including Boone and Campbell – to be on board with the plan.
If they do get enough support, Kenton County will be able to move forward with a mobile needle exchange unit. The idea is being funded by a $250,000 grant from the Northern Kentucky Health Department.
Kenton County Commissioner John Draud initially disagreed with the plan, but he changed his mind after taking a second look.
“Hepatitis C is rampant,” Draud said. “It’s very costly. We’re not really making a dent in the heroin issue – instead of making a dent, it’s escalating.”
By providing clean needles for drug users, in exchange for used needles, the hope is that some of the issues connected to the growing heroin problem can be resolved.
Click here for a list of resources to help get off heroin.
