HUNTINGTON, WV -
Many Huntington officials are concerned about
recent CDC warnings of possible hepatitis C and HIV outbreaks in the
Tri-State area. But the city's Director of Drug Control Policy Jim
Johnson said they already have a plan in place to battle this possible
outbreak.
"Trying to find a solution to public health problem, a public health problem that literally could mean hundreds of millions of dollars over the next few years," said Johnson.
And some said the solution is to expand the Cabell County Harm Reduction Program, which includes the county's needle exchange component. Since the program was launched last September, the county has collected around 80,000 needles.
Experts said the program is not only keeping dirty needles off the street and helping fight the transmission of deadly diseases, but it's also gives addicts a chance to find help when they walk through the door to get new needs.
"They can get them in that critical point to maybe change their lives," said Ashley Noland, director of development at Recovery Point of Huntington. "They have their attention for just a few minutes and that's when they can really say, 'Hey I was where you were, this is how it changed me, think about coming to Recovery Point or Lifehouse or getting into treatment in some way or form.'"
Dr. Matthew Rohrbach, who is also a state delegate, said that in the past few months, the program has proven its value in saving both lives and money.
"It's about $80,000 a year for one patient's HIV medicines. If we can prevent just a few cases of HIV medicines, we can run the needle exchange for 10 years on the savings off of just one or two patients," said Rohrbach.
Others still have questions about the program, but do believe that something needs to be done and trying to do something is better than nothing.
"I commend the Health Department for trying," said Gordon Merry, director of Cabell County EMS. "Yes there's doubters, I probably am somewhat of a doubter myself but I'm optimistic to look and wait to see what the return is."
"Trying to find a solution to public health problem, a public health problem that literally could mean hundreds of millions of dollars over the next few years," said Johnson.
And some said the solution is to expand the Cabell County Harm Reduction Program, which includes the county's needle exchange component. Since the program was launched last September, the county has collected around 80,000 needles.
Experts said the program is not only keeping dirty needles off the street and helping fight the transmission of deadly diseases, but it's also gives addicts a chance to find help when they walk through the door to get new needs.
"They can get them in that critical point to maybe change their lives," said Ashley Noland, director of development at Recovery Point of Huntington. "They have their attention for just a few minutes and that's when they can really say, 'Hey I was where you were, this is how it changed me, think about coming to Recovery Point or Lifehouse or getting into treatment in some way or form.'"
Dr. Matthew Rohrbach, who is also a state delegate, said that in the past few months, the program has proven its value in saving both lives and money.
"It's about $80,000 a year for one patient's HIV medicines. If we can prevent just a few cases of HIV medicines, we can run the needle exchange for 10 years on the savings off of just one or two patients," said Rohrbach.
Others still have questions about the program, but do believe that something needs to be done and trying to do something is better than nothing.
"I commend the Health Department for trying," said Gordon Merry, director of Cabell County EMS. "Yes there's doubters, I probably am somewhat of a doubter myself but I'm optimistic to look and wait to see what the return is."
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