A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Boone County silently says no to syringe exchange; decision a major setback for regional implementation


By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor

There will be no needle exchange program administered by the Northern Kentucky Health Department in Boone County.

After hours of impassioned pleas from members of the health care community, law enforcement officials and those directly impacted by the heroin epidemic, a resolution that would have permitted  syringe exchange died silently Tuesday.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare CEO Garren Colvin speaks in favor of needle exchange at Tuesday's Boone County Fiscal Court meeting (photos by Mark Hansel).

St. Elizabeth Healthcare CEO Garren Colvin speaks in favor of needle exchange at Tuesday’s Boone County Fiscal Court meeting (photos by Mark Hansel).

The resolution failed to gain the motion for approval and second that would have allowed the matter to be voted on by Boone County Fiscal Court members. The decision not to consider the motion had the same impact as a vote against the measure.

The discussion of needle exchange and other measures related to the heroin epidemic lasted more than three hours and was dominated by presentations from those favoring needle exchange and support programs for those addicted.

Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore started the discussion by framing the issue. Moore co-chairs a national task force formed by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National League of Cities (NLC) to address the nation’s opioid and heroin abuse crisis.

He has openly supported the implementation of syringe exchange as a way to address the potential health threats to the general population caused by the use of contaminated needles.

“Who would have thought four or five years ago, that we would be talking about addiction, especially heroin, on a Boone County Fiscal Court Agenda? Moore asked. “I sure wouldn’t have. I’m as surprised as anyone that we are to this point in our community.”

Boone County resident Bernie Kunkel speaks to the Fiscal Court Tuesday in opposition to a resolution to allow needle exchange. Left to right are county commissioners Cathy Flaig, Charles Kenner and Charlie Walton.

Boone County resident Bernie Kunkel speaks to the Fiscal Court Tuesday in opposition to a resolution to allow needle exchange. Left to right are county commissioners Cathy Flaig, Charles Kenner and Charlie Walton.

More gave a recap of the escalation in heroin and opioid use that he said began with an uptick in calls to first responders for overdose victims. That progressed to the formation of support groups and grassroots organizations by community stakeholders and family members of those suffering from addiction or who had died from an overdose.

The statistics, Moore said, remove any doubt that addiction is a problem the region’s elected leaders need to deal with.

Despite it being primary election day, an overflow crowd filled the Fiscal Coourtroom, many there in support of syringe exchange.

Dr. Michael Kalfas of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, spoke in support of treatment and the commitment of funding for a helpline.

In addition to practicing medicine in Northern Kentucky, Kalfas is also the medical director at the Boone County Detention Center. He has seen both the direct results of addiction and the related crimes that result from drug use.

“One of the first mistakes that we make and one of the biggest dangers that we make is that we tend to treat this as some kind of imported problem,” Kalfas said. “This is a problem, it’s a social ill that’s been here for a long time. Where we are now is at a point where the pot’s boiling over.”

The list of speakers in support of increased efforts to combat the heroin epidemic and for a needle exchange program covered every aspect of the issue.

Jim Thaxton, head of the Heroin Impact Response Task Force, provided an overview of the heroin problem in the region. Chris Conners, director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, Maj. Bill Mark and Maj. Jim Wagner of the Boone County Sheriff’s office talked about supply reduction efforts.

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Linny Cloyd, chairman of the Boone County Alliance, Kathy Reutman of Boone County Schools and Emily Gresham Wherle from the Boone County Health Department discussed education and prevention.

The presentations concluded with Jennifer Hunter, director of clinical services for the Health Department and Garren Colvin, CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare outlining the public health risks associated with the use of contaminated needles.

The input from those opposed to needle exchange was limited to the public comment portion of the presentation, with each speaker given three minutes to weigh in. This portion also included the perspective of a former heroin addict and a woman who had lost a daughter to addiction, who spoke in favor of needle exchange.

Comments from members of the Fiscal Court, aside from Moore’s introduction, consisted of a few questions from Commissioner Charlie Walton.

That may have been because there has been so much discussion about addiction and needle exchange, including a lengthy presentation to the Fiscal Court in February, its members had all of the information they needed.

It might also have been that they already had their minds made up about syringe exchange in Boone County.

When Moore called for a motion to support the resolution, there was silence.

Nan Frank of Addiction Services Council Cincinnati, explains how a helpline would operate in Northern Kentucky. The Boone County Fiscal Court approved the use of previously allocated Mental Health Funds to support the program for one year.

Nan Frank of Addiction Services Council Cincinnati, explains how a helpline would operate in Northern Kentucky. The Boone County Fiscal Court approved the use of previously allocated Mental Health Funds to support the program for one year.

Moore could have made the motion himself and called for a second, which, if given, would have provided an opportunity for county commissioners to explain the reasons for their opposition, but chose not to.

It was clear there were not going to be three votes in favor of the resolution and in the end, the only likely “yeah” vote would have come from Moore.

The decision by the Fiscal Court may not have killed the hopes for a regional syringe exchange program administered by the Health Department in Boone County, but it certainly dealt it a serious blow.

When Senate Bill 192, commonly referred to as the heroin bill, was passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in March of last year, it allowed for syringe exchange administered by the Health Department, with local government approval.

If Boone County had approved the resolution, one of its cities, most likely Florence, which has a Health Department Center in the city, would have had to approve a similar measure.

Supporters of needle exchange had garnered some support on the Florence City Council, but the Boone County decision made that a moot point.

Kenton and Campbell Counties have passed needle exchange resolutions and the City of Covington has agreed to allow it, with some restrictions.

The Covington ordinance requires participation by at least two other Northern Kentucky municipalities.

While Campbell County has agreed to needle exchange, Newport, which would house that county’s program through its Health Department Center, has not weighed in on the measure.

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

The Boone County Fiscal Court did unanimously approve the use of up to $28,350 Mental Health Tax Funds already allocated to the Northern Kentucky Area Development District to set up a regional helpline. The program will be operated by the Addiction Services Council Cincinnati.

The Court also unanimously voted in favor of a resolution supporting a comprehensive education and prevention initiative and another supporting a designation for Northern Kentucky’s inclusion as an Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.


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9 Comments

  1. Nick Bell says:

    Thank you Boone County Commissioners. Common sense prevails in Boone County.

  2. Ben Goldade says:

    Anytime a blow can be dealt to Regionalism it is a good day.

  3. Jordan Byrne says:

    This is very detailed and well written article. Looks like the Nky Tribune is superior to the Enquirer.

  4. LollyJean says:

    What courageous “leaders” we have. How attractive and inviting is Boone County going to look when HIV is rampant in our communities, along with a host of other diseases? These people can’t see past the end of their own noses.

  5. Lisa says:

    If this needle give away has already passed the other NKY COUNTIES, then why all the strong arm tactics to get Boone County to comply ? These people can give away their needles everywhere else.

  6. Karen Butcher says:

    I understand the discouragement felt by Northetn KY recovery advocates. I experienced the same thing in Scott County Kentucky when our fiscal court voted against the safe syringe exchange. Continued community education is in order; not only about the health issues but also about the built in opportunity to share recovery resources with those who utilize the exchange. Bottom line: where there is breath there is hope. When we make recovery resources available, there is hope.

  7. Geoff Noller, PhD says:

    As a New Zealand drug use researcher (we’re about 1600 miles east of the east coast of Australia) who has worked with people who inject drugs for over a decade, I truly cannot believe what I have just read. There is absolutely no dispute that needle exchanges save lives and reduce exposure to blood borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis C. This is not only for people who use but for those who don’t but still live in the same communities and are at risk of exposure. Moreover, research has demonstrated that needle exchanges DO NOT increase rates of injection. In the Cincinnati region 33% of its counties are at high risk of exposure to these diseases due to injecting drug use, compared with a national average of 7%, according to your national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Good luck!

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