On Monday night, the Glasgow City Council agreed to allow the city to participate in a needle exchange program.
The program, which passed by a 5-4 vote (with one council member abstaining and two absent), exchanges dirty needles for clean ones. The county board of health and Barren County Fiscal Court have already approved the measure.
The Barren County Health Department would like to have the program implemented as soon as March 1, according to multiple media reports. The exchange program will take place once per week and last four hours.
Advocates of the needle exchange program say it helps keep dirty needles off the streets, can decrease disease and allows for drug research. Program participants have to give their zip codes to receive the needle, which will be dispensed by a social worker.
Glasgow’s Public Safety Committee voted to recommend the city council approve the program.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
