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Reid Health and a prevention grant from the Indiana State Department of Health fund the program. Stinson said no county money is used.
The syringe program maintains regular hours of noon-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the health department, 100 S. Fifth St. It also has utilized the department s new mobile unit 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays at the Phillips Drugs location at 1390 National Road W. and 3-5 p.m. Thursdays at the Phillips Drugs at 1626 E. Main St.
The number of used needles the program collects exceeds the number of clean needles it distributes, Stinson said, but the program extends beyond the simple exchange of needles. Wound care supplies, naloxone and now COVID-19 vaccinations are also available, as are referrals to food and housing resources and to treatment programs.
On the other side, Fort Wayne Police Department Capt. Kevin Hunter spoke in favor of the syringe exchange.
Wayne County s program was the fifth in the state when it began. It was implemented to slow the spread of hepatitis C in the county.
The syringe exchange program maintains regular hours of noon-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the health department, 100 S. Fifth St. It also has utilized the department s new mobile unit 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays at the Phillips Drugs location at 1390 National Road W. and 3-5 p.m. Thursdays at the Phillips Drugs at 1626 E. Main St.
The exchange is part of the health department s harm reduction program, according to its website. In addition to receiving clean needles, participants receive wound care and safe injection supplies and are trained in safe injections.