Four people died from opioid overdose in Todd County during a three week period in late December and early January and the county’s health department is recommending the institution of a needle exchange program.
Jen Harris spoke to Todd Fiscal Court Friday and suspects the overdoses are connected to several others in Montgomery County and believes the source was likely heroin laced with fentanyl.
A needle exchange allows a drug user to take used needles to a predetermined location to exchange them for clean replacements. Harris says the exchange isn’t a way to enable; it’s instead a way to get those users in contact with resources to overcome the addiction and to prevent the spread of disease throughout the community.
The exchange would also help expecting mothers prevent their babies from being born with an addiction—a problem she says is becoming increasingly prevalent locally.
Harris will present her recommendation for a needle exchange in Todd County to the Board of Health next month and if approved, it would then go to Todd Fiscal Court. It would then likely be up to Elkton or Guthrie City Council to decide on—depending on the proposed location for a needle exchange.
Harris also believes the exchange will reduce the number of dirty needles turning up on the side of roads and in public places.
In other action, personnel from the Kentucky Rural and Secondary Road Program agreed to look at the intersection of US 68 and Tress Shop Road for a possible flashing caution light. They’ll also consider a study of the Pond River Road-US 68 intersection and of the four-way stop at US 79 and US 41 in Guthrie for potential traffic lights.
Commissioner Gary Tomblyn says it’s very possible those lights will never come to fruition, however, as traffic patterns may dictate the lights would make the intersections more dangerous—especially at Pond River Road and 68.
Motorists on US 68 can expect to see construction this summer at the KY 181 intersection to improve the lines of sight for drivers attempting to turn left onto 181 from both directions.