A few months after the legislature legalized their creation, more than 20 percent of Indiana counties are in the process of creating a needle exchange program.
A panel of lawmakers Monday received an update on the progress of the programs, which include exchanges already approved in three Indiana counties – Scott, Madison and Fayette.
Kellie Kelley, the co-coordinator of Madison County's program, says counties considering establishing their own needle exchange need to coordinate closely with stakeholders, such as a community health centers.
She says communication with law enforcement and the media is key, and that counties need to be patient and flexible.
"We are not having most individuals come to our sites that we set up," Kelley says. "They usually come into the Health Department because it's already a trusted entity. So we are renegotiating and getting some advice of perhaps changing our method of delivery."
Other needle exchange advocates stress the need for funding.
Beth Meyerson leads Project Cultivate, which helps Indiana counties operating or considering needle exchanges.
"Indiana invests $13.08 per Hoosier in state public health funding," Meyerson says. "We're last or almost last in per capita from CDC and HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration), which means we're essentially sending our federal tax dollars to subsidize activities in other states."