The Barbour County Health Department is working to stay ahead of the opioid crisis in the county and surrounding areas. A Harm Reduction and Needle Exchange Program, which is slated to start early next year, will provide services to the community for the growing crisis.
Administrator Annette Santilli said the needle program is one step in a larger project which will include Narcan training for health department staff and community members.
“We have already had several calls about this needle exchange program, wanting to know when we are going to get started with it. We are working with some folks to be able to get the needles for the exchange and also be able to provide counseling services for those folks as well. We know that it’s an important need, and so we are moving ahead for the citizens of Barbour County,” said Santilli.
The health department is partnering with local law enforcement, medical services, and counseling services to provide a full-scope opioid prevention program.
