Virginia will get its first needle exchange program this year in an effort to prevent disease in the state. The public health initiative will most likely begin in or near Wise County, in southwestern Virginia. Officials hope to stem the tide of infectious diseases fueled by the epidemic of opioid abuse and addiction.
A new state law authorizing needle exchange programs went into effect in July of this year. Under the law, 55 counties are eligible to create needle exchange programs. But so far, only Wise County has submitted an application to begin one.
In the last ten years, Wise County, with a population of 40,000, has seen 120 deaths from opioid overdoses. Additionally, the rate of hepatitis C in the county is twice the state average.
Elaine Martin is the director of HIV prevention services with the Virginia Department of Public Health. She told local media that the health department had expected a more vigorous response to the newly authorized opportunity.
“We anticipated it to roll out maybe a little quicker than it has,” she said.
Martin also said that the health department has reviewed the application from Wise County. A site visit has been completed, and she expects the program to be authorized soon.
Needle Exchange Programs Reduce Disease
Sam Rasoul, a Democratic member of the House of Delegates from Roanoke, voted for the needle exchange program. He said that science has shown that the programs are successful in reducing the rate of disease.
“I think that we need a multi-pronged approach to the opioid epidemic and the drug issue that we have in Southwest Virginia,” said Rasoul. “We need to make sure we’re open to the data and what the data is telling us, and