INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana Health Commissioner Jerome Adams says needle exchange programs have saved lives and money as public health officials try to combat the state's opioid crisis.
Eight Indiana counties currently have exchanges in place that allow drug users to swap dirty needles for clean ones.
Adams said Thursday that the exchanges "aren't pretty." But he adds that they prevent the spread of HIV and other serious diseases that drug abusers can spread by sharing needles.
Madison County prosecutor Rodney Cummings said the needle exchanges give addicts access to tools that help them overdose.
"Anyone else who does that -- if you are standing on the corner passing out drug paraphernalia that you know is going to be used to inject heroin into the body -- anybody else gets arrested for that,” he said.
Madison County public health coordinator Stephanie Grimes said people were overdosing before the program began.
“People are going to overdose if the program goes away," Grimes said. "I don't think this program is promoting overdose by any means."
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An exchange in Scott County helped stop the spread of HIV after 219 people contracted the virus. That can save money in health care costs.
Adams says 2,800 people have used the syringe programs to date. Participants can be tested for disease and get referrals for health insurance, social services, and treatment.
MORE | Madison County needle exchange begins Wednesday | More Indiana counties could offer needle exchange programs
