Mercy Health Foundation - Lourdes officials recently presented representatives of the Graves County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (ASAP) with a donation of sterile needles for the organization’s syringe exchange program. The exchange is a harm reduction program to help limit the spread of infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis that have surged as result of the opiate crisis.
Those participating in the exchange are tested for hepatitis and HIV and have access to treatment. The program allows participants to remain anonymous.
Improving community health and well-being is a system-wide priority for Mercy Health. The Graves County ASAP is one of 75 local ASAP coalitions that cover 113 of 120 counties in Kentucky. The local boards consist of stakeholders in each county or multi-county jurisdiction and have become a vital part of substance abuse prevention and treatment efforts in many of the Commonwealth’s communities.
Those participating in the exchange are tested for hepatitis and HIV and have access to treatment. The program allows participants to remain anonymous.
Improving community health and well-being is a system-wide priority for Mercy Health. The Graves County ASAP is one of 75 local ASAP coalitions that cover 113 of 120 counties in Kentucky. The local boards consist of stakeholders in each county or multi-county jurisdiction and have become a vital part of substance abuse prevention and treatment efforts in many of the Commonwealth’s communities.