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Boone County Fiscal Court to consider needle exchange, other heroin-related resolutions tonight


By Mark Hansel
NKYTribune managing editor

The Boone County Fiscal Court is expected to consider several resolutions relating to the region’s response to the heroin epidemic at tonight’s Fiscal Court meeting.

Included is a resolution that, if approved, would grant consent for a syringe exchange program. The program would be administered by the Northern Kentucky Health District if located in a city within Boone County.

Judge Moore

Judge Moore

Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore has indicated support for a syringe exchange program, but does not appear to have the votes to gain approval for the measure.

Moore would need at least two of the three county commissioners to vote in favor of the resolution for it to gain approval.

Commissioner Charles Kenner has previously indicated he would not support needle exchange in the county and Commissioner Charlie Walton has also expressed strong reservations about such a program.

Commissioner Cathy Flaig appears the most likely to support the measure, but she also has concerns. Even if Flaig votes in favor of the resolution, Moore would still need one more vote.

If the resolution is approved, the Florence City Council would also have to vote in favor of the measure before needle exchange could begin.
When Senate Bill 192, commonly referred to as the Heroin Bill, was passed in March of last year, it allowed for needle exchange programs to be administered by a region’s health department, with local approval.

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The Northern Kentucky Health Department’s Boone County Health Center is located in Florence, so that city council must give its consent for a program.

Campbell County passed a resolution in favor of needle exchange earlier this month, but the Newport City Commission has not yet voted in favor of needle exchange.

Kenton County and the City of Covington voted to approve needle exchange in March. The Covington approval, however, is contingent on at least two other Northern Kentucky counties participating in needle exchange programs.

Currently, only Williamstown, in Grant County, has a needle exchange program administered by the Northern Kentucky Health Department.

There are also legal questions about some conditions in the Covington ordinance, including a requirement of mandatory testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C by participants.

Other resolutions the Boone County Fiscal Court is expected to consider include the allocation of mental health tax funds to support the Northern Kentucky Regional Helpline and support for a comprehensive education and prevention initiative by the Health Department.

Moore is expected to provide opening remarks prior to the introduction of the resolutions.

There will also be presentations from several community leaders focused on treatment and support of addiction, supply reduction, education and prevention and protection against the potential spread of disease in the region.

There will be an opportunity for public comment as well.

A list of the resolutions relating to Boone County’s response to the Northern Kentucky Heroin epidemic that are expected to be presented at tonight’s meeting, according to the Fiscal Court agenda :

A. A RESOLUTION OF THE BOONE COUNTY FISCAL COURT ALLOCATING MENTAL HEALTH TAX FUNDS TO THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO PROVIDE PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY REGIONAL HELPLINE. – AIR (Item XI. A)

B. A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE BOONE COUNTY FISCAL COURT SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION BY THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY DRUG STRIKE FORCE FOR NORTHERN KENTUCKY TO BE DESIGNATED FOR INCLUSION INTO THE OHIO HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA (HIDTA). -AIR (Item XI B)

C. A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE BOONE COUNTY FISCAL COURT SUPPORTING THE CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION INITIATIVE BY THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY INDEPENDENT HEALTH DISTRICT. – AIR (Item XI C)

D. A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE BOONE COUNTY FISCAL COURT GRANTING CONSENT TO A SYRINGE ACCESS EXCHANGE PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY INDEPENDENT HEALTH DEPARTMENT IF LOCATED WITHIN AN INCORPORATED CITY IN BOONE COUNTY. -AIR (Item XI D)

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The Boone County Fiscal Court could be bringing the needle exchange resolution up for a vote just to clarify its position on the matter.

In February, the Fiscal Court heard presentations in favor of needle exchange from officials at the Northern Kentucky Health District and St. Elizabeth Healthcare.

Moore indicated at the time county officials would provide an opportunity for those opposed to needle exchange to address the Fiscal Court before it considered a vote.

At a subsequent Fiscal Court meeting later in February, state Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, spoke out against needle exchange .

Since that time, there has been little discussion on needle exchange in the Boone County Fiscal Court, despite the decisions in neighboring counties.

Approval of any of the resolutions would require a motion and a second, followed by a majority vote in its favor. Failure to gain the support needed to call for a vote would have the same effect as a vote against it.

The Fiscal Court could also table any or all of the resolutions for consideration at a later date.

The Fiscal Court meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m., on the first floor of the Boone County Administration Building, located at 2950 Washington Street in Burlington.

Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com


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One Comment

  1. Nick Bell says:

    Is it true that Judge Executive Gary Moore could not even get one Commissioner tonight to support his Resolution for the needle exchange ??

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