ALLEN COUNTY— State health officials have declared a public health emergency in Allen County allowing a syringe services program to be set up.

The Department of Health along with community partners Positive Resource Connection and Park Center will open the syringe services program in early November at 519 Oxford Street in Fort Wayne.

The program will provide new, clean needles and sharps disposal containers, along with free HIV and hepatitis C testing.

They can also make referrals to addiction services.

Back in 2015, the Board of Health authorized the Department to begin the process of establishing a local syringe services plan as part of an opioid strategic plan.

On Thursday, Oct. 6, the Indiana State Department of Health approved the plan.

The health emergency will run through Oct. 5, 2017.

“Allen County is experiencing an increase in hepatitis C cases, which puts the county at risk for other diseases spread through intravenous drug use,” State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. said.

“By implementing a syringe exchange in conjunction with testing, referrals to treatment and enrollment in health insurance, Allen County is taking steps to reduce the harm caused by substance abuse and improve the health of its communities.”

Senate Enrolled Act 461 made syringe exchange programs legal in Indiana under certain circumstances.

This public health emergency means the state health commissioner agrees with the local health officer and county commissioners.

Public health emergencies have also been declared in Clark, Lawrence, Madison, Monroe, Fayette, Wayne and Scott counties.

Source: 21Alive