CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department is looking into how to improve its needle exchange program as the threat of its end looms.
Charleston City Council will vote Monday on recriminalizing needles for illegal drug use, thus ending the initiative. Mayor Danny Jones and Police Chief Steve Cooper are among those voicing support of ending the needle exchange, saying more needles are being left in public places, putting the lives of the public and city employees at risk.
But since the bill to end the exchange was introduced March 5, the health department has made changes; clients must be present to obtain syringes and also must provide a form of identification.
The needle exchange is part of a large harm reduction program, which also includes testing for diseases.
The health department met Thursday to discuss the state of the program and possible improvements.
“It’s growing pains,” said Tina Ramirez, the health department’s prevention and wellness director. “I think that we have grown so quickly, so fast, that we need to have some revamping and change the program a little bit to meet the needs of the community.”
According to Ramirez, the exchange rate is around 88 percent. She noted, however, that number only includes those coming in with used needles rather than those using the exchange for a single time. Since the program’s inception in, around 651,000 needles have been given away, and more than 415,000 have been returned.
Health officials say the program is needed to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C.
Ramirez said she believes city council and the department can reach an agreement before the vote Monday night in hopes of better serving the community and helping those in need of services.
“We’re willing to do whatever we can to help maintain the program and also establish it in different parts of the county,” she said.
Charleston City Council is scheduled to meet Monday at 7 p.m. at Charleston City Hall.