“We have tried to take our time looking at the data and looking at it again and trying to be very cautious and mindful of the situation,” said Monroe County Health Department administrator Penny Claudill on Wednesday morning, Aug. 19. “We certainly don’t want to ever scare people. We just want to acknowledge that there has been an increase in cases, and we have an opportunity to address it.”
During the past five years, the number of hepatitis C cases has risen by more than 50 percent, according to the emergency declaration written by the Monroe County Health Commissioner Thomas Sharp.
The increase is partly because of the increasing rates of drug use in the area.
The declaration noted, in just one year, the number of heroin overdoses treated by IU Bloomington Hospital has increased by more than 50 percent.
The primary way the disease is transmitted is through intravenous drug use, so, to address the problem, the department issued the declaration as one of the first steps toward implementing a syringe exchange program in Monroe County.
“Testing and referral systems are in place, and drug treatment programs, drug court and mental health services are available, yet these measures have proven ineffective in preventing the epidemic,” according to the declaration. “A Syringe Exchange Program as part of a comprehensive response increases the capacity to save lives, link people to care including treatment services.”
The declaration has been sent to the county commissioner’s office, where officials will decide whether or not to have a hearing for public comment.
Next, all of the information will go to the state health commissioner, who can approve the program, deny it or request more information.
Needle exchanges were banned in Indiana until April 2015.
Claudill recognized significant public controversy surrounds programs like this, which she guessed is why the state included the public hearing component of the application process.
She said she feels the county would benefit from a syringe exchange program.
“Syringe exchange programs exist in other places, and they have been shown to prevent or reduce the amount of needle stick injuries for paramedics and law enforcement officers,” she said. “There are also less dirty needles lying around the community. The programs tend to save money, but more importantly, they save lives.”
Claudill explained it is much cheaper to treat someone for drug addiction than it is to treat someone for HIV or HCV.
She said the programs also increase the level of trust between drug users and healthcare providers.
“They keep people safer and healthier,” Claudill said. “They help link them with care so that when they are ready to receive it, they know where to go.”
