Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, April 9, 2015
(SCOTT CO.) - Scott County is in the middle of an HIV epidemic,and is ranked the “Least Healthy County” in the state.
That's according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program at the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Scott County has come in last for the past six years. Community leaders have created a task force in response.
On Tuesday, there were 89 confirmed cases of HIV in Scott County.
A temporary needle exchange program designed to get dirty needles out of the hands of heroin users began last weekend. That program required special authorization from Governor Mike Pence, as needle exchange programs are banned in Indiana.
However, the state House passed a bill this week that would allow "high risk" counties to create needle exchanges.
Counties with high rates of Hepatitis C would be eligible.
Supporters hope the programs would help prevent diseases from spreading. Opponents want to see how the 30 day program works in Scott County first.
The bill now heads back to the Senate.
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