The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department is offering "harm-reduction" clinics on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. at its office, 108 Lee St. in Charleston.
Harm-reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. The clinic in Kanawha County includes a needle exchange, offers participants the availability of HIV counseling and testing, education on reducing sexual and drug-use-related health risks, referral to drug treatment and other services.
The needle exchange program, according to a news release from the health department, provides sterile syringes and collects used syringes to prevent the transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis and blood-borne infections associated with reusing and sharing contaminated injection equipment - dirty needles - by users.
The first clinic took place Dec. 2. Eight people visited to receive sterile syringes. KCHD officials are spending no additional health department funds on the clinics.