Gov. Mike Pence on Thursday morning is expected to reveal details of an emergency plan to address an HIV epidemic in southeastern Indiana linked to intravenous drug use. But it's not clear whether he will give the green light for clean needle exchange programs.
Just as Pence wrapped up a news conference Wednesday announcing his plans to declare a public health emergency in Scott County, a House panel embarked on a three-hour hearing on whether to pass an emergency amendment opening the door to needle exchange programs, which many medical experts believe are critical to curbing this outbreak and any others.
Since the middle of December, when the first case was identified, 72 people in five counties in the area — most of them from Scott County — have tested positive for HIV. HIV causes AIDS, a disease that weakens the immune system, gradually destroying the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers.
All the cases are linked to intravenous drug use, many with the prescription painkiller Opana. State health officials say they expect to see still more cases appear in the coming weeks.
Some have called for Indiana to make needle exchange programs legal. Many states and municipalities have already done so. Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear signed a bill Wednesday that included a provision for needle exchange programs.
Pence, however, stopped short Wednesday of endorsing the practice wholeheartedly.
"I do not support needle exchanges as anti-drug policy, but this is a public health emergency," he said. "I'm going to make a decision on the best science and the best way to stop this virus and this outbreak in its tracks."
The plan that he is expected to announce Thursday would be in effect for 30 days, he said. Before crafting the plan, Pence met with local officials, as well as a team of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that arrived in southeastern Indiana earlier this week. The CDC supports needle exchange programs.
But many of those on the front lines of the outbreak said a 30-day response, while better than nothing, would provide only a Band-Aid for a gaping wound. As Pence drove south to visit Scottsburg, many of the doctors from the area were driving north to testify at a House Public Health Committee hearing to pass an amendment allowing for needle exchange programs statewide.
Dr. Kevin Burke, Clark County public health officer, said he hopes that even if the governor institutes a temporary needle exchange program, the legislature will act.
"A 30-day program would be much too short," he said. "You're not going to help those people
long-term."
Via USA TODAY
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