HOWARD COUNTY, Ind. -- A clash was underway this week in Howard County, as public health and public safety officials argued about the merits of a needle exchange.
The health department there is in the midst of generating a petition to the state for a needle exchange program. In a county where heroin use is rampant, Howard County health officials are trying to make the case for HIV, AIDS and hepatitis C prevention.
While the Howard County Prosecutor is on board with trying to stop the spread of disease, he says a needle exchange program promotes crime.
The health department has been working since March on its needle exchange petition. They have yet to submit it for state approval.
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