Naloxone is saving lives in Whitley County

Consider this statistic regarding drug overdoses.

In September and October, 32 people participating in the Whitley County Health Department’s Harm Reduction program, which is more frequently referred to as the needle exchange program, reported having either overdosed or having seen someone else overdose.

“Twenty eight of those said Naloxone was used at the scene by them or somebody else,” Whitley County Public Health Director Marcy Rein told the Whitley County Board of Health during its recent quarterly meeting.

The Whitley County Board of Health is the entity that oversees the Whitley County Health Department. Naloxone, which is frequently sold as Narcan, is a substance used to reverse the effects of many drug overdoses.

During September and October, 209 Naloxone kits were distributed by the health department, and Rein noted that you don’t have to participate in the health department’s harm reduction program to receive free Naloxone from the health department.

“We are trying to make Naloxone or Narcan as common as CPR. It is something nobody wants to use, but they are glad they have it if they need it,” Rein added.

During September and October, there were 463 visits for harm reductions services in Whitley County, including 41 new people.

There were 13,658 new sterile syringes distributed and 12,874 used syringes turned in to the health department.

Participants are not required to bring in old needles the first time they visit the harm reduction clinics, which are held in both Corbin and Williamsburg, and they can receive up to 30 new syringes during their first visit to the clinic.

“It is really about preventing disease. In order to prevent disease, you have to get used syringes out of the community,” she added.

In other business during the quarterly meeting, the board:

• Approved Christmas bonuses that will amount to $1,000 each for most employees.

All full-time workers will receive a $500 bonus if they have worked at the health department for at least six months. Those working less time than that will receive a prorated bonus. A total of 38 staff members will qualify for the bonus.

There will also be a $500 bonus for full-time employees, who have worked at the health department since the pandemic, or have been there at least six months. This bonus will not be prorated for employees, who have worked there less than six months.

Rein noted that there are only seven employees, who won’t qualify for the COVID-19 bonus pay, including five people, who have either been there for less than six months or are very part-time.

The total bonuses will cost the health department $38,463.

“I think fiscally we can handle it and it is important for staff moral right now,” Rein noted.

Board Chairman Dr. David Williams asked Rein to please extend the board’s thanks to the employees for their efforts.

• Received an update on a rat problem in Williamsburg that was first discussed during the September board of health meeting.

The rats had been displaced due to a construction project at Exit 11.

“It seems to be resolved based on the complaints we have received and the follow-ups we have done at the local food service establishments. We are happy to see that. We are happy it is gone right now,” Rein said.

• Discussed environmental services programs, including various local inspections. Rein said that over the last three months, the health department has largely focused on getting schools inspected and then catching up on other inspections, which had been delayed due to COVID-19.

Over the last quarter the health department has also issued four temporary food permits, and three new restaurant permits.

• Received a clean audit report from RFA CPA Andy DeMoss for both the Whitley County Health Department and the Whitley County Health Department Taxing District.

“It’s as good of a report as we can give you as a health department,” he noted.

• Scheduled 2021 quarterly meeting dates for March 21, June 20, Sept. 19 and Nov. 21. The location of those meetings is to be determined.