The Christian County Board of Health met virtually Monday night and unanimously approved moving forward with establishing a syringe exchange program in the county and heard an update on the health department’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public Health Director Kayla Bebout explained the syringe or needle, exchange program would be operated by the health department. She said other counties around the area have similar programs that have been successful in reducing the number of illnesses related to using dirty needles.
Board member Charles Turner asked if this program to exchange needles would be an enabler for drug users. Emily Greene, who would oversee the program at the health department, said this is a way to help those users get the resources they need to overcome drug addiction and help prevent spreading diseases.
Greene said the program would be funded by a grant through 2028.
Before the program is implemented in the county, it would need approval from the Christian County Fiscal Court and Hopkinsville City Council.
During her COVID-19 update, Bebout said she was proud of her staff and the extra roles they had to take on due to the coronavirus.
Board Chair Dr. John Heltsley says as a way to thank the staff for their extra work and stress related to the coronavirus, they wanted to give them a monetary bonus. He said full-time employees would receive $750, part-time, $500 and ICS employees would receive an additional $250, which was unanimously approved.
In other action, the board unanimously approved the 2020-2021 $4.28 million budget presented by Bebout, which includes keeping the current property tax rate assessment of 3.2 cents.
The next health board meeting is scheduled for October 12.
