Local health department supports syringe exchange program

The state of Maryland was recently ranked second in the country for having the highest rate of new HIV infections per 100,000 residents.

This is just one of the reasons why Governor Larry Hogan passed the Opioid- Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Act.

The legislation allows local health departments and community organizations to create syringe exchange programs.

Prior to this bill, Prince George’s county and Baltimore City were the only authorized jurisdictions. We’re told the goal is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like Hepatitis C and AIDS.

Olivia Butler, the nursing supervisor with the Wicomico County Health Department says there is some controversy surrounding legislation.

Olivia Butler says, “People think it encourages the use of injecting drugs, but that’s really not been proven to be the case in other areas where they have these programs. People that use are going to until they’re ready to quit. Until they’re ready to quit it’s just focusing on harm reduction.” 

We’re told because there isn’t any funding attached to the legislation. It’s not clear if or when a program like this would come to Wicomico County. However, the health department does support it.