Indiana HIV Outbreak Hits 100 Cases; Drug Abuse & Needles to Blame

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Apr 11, 2015 06:07 AM EDT

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In southeastern Indiana, there have been more than 100 people who have been tested positive for HIV, according to officials last Friday. The incident is currently linked to the outbreak of sharing intravenous needles used for drugs.

The Indiana officials are trying to thwart panicked drug users who think they could be arrested if they participate in the needle-exchange program made by the government, according to ABC News. The program is intended to curb the spread of the virus by providing new needles in exchange for their used ones.

The outbreak rose to 95 confirmed HIV cases and 11 preliminary positive cases from last week's 84 confirmed cases and 5 preliminary positive cases, reports Indiana's Joint Information Center. The leading cause of the outbreak is tied to the liquid opioid drug called Opana, a pain killer being sold for $100 apiece.

Kevin Polly, a resident of Austin Indiana is one of the new cases identified to be HIV positive. According to CBS News, Polly said that the Opana drug addiction is strong.

"I'd like to say that I'm gonna quit. But I'd probably be lyin' to you," Polly said.

Regardless of the risk, he still wanted his fix, even if it was through sharing needles.

According to Dr. William Cooke, the sharing of the dirty needles is the reason why the HIV outbreak is rising.

"All it takes is one person who is HIV positive, sharing needles," Cooke said. "It spreads like wildfire in situations like that."

Last March 26, Republican Governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency that temporarily allows the needle-exchange program in the hope of preventing the virus from spreading. The program began last Saturday, in the city of Austin with about 4,500 residents. As of Monday, there were only four people who joined the needle-exchange.

According to Brittany Combs, a nurse for the Scott County Health Department, there was a total of 11 people who had joined the program last Wednesday and Thursday. The total number of participants is unknown, NBC News reports.

"Some people were scared to come to the needle-exchange because they were afraid that either the cops were there waiting to arrest them or that we had video cameras to videotape them for later," she said. "Others thought we were going to be able to track them - and none of that is true."

Combs said that joining is confidential because names won't be disclosed. The laminated ID cards they will be receiving will only contain their sex, date of birth and the first two letters of their first and last name.

Douglas Campbell, the Mayor of Austin said that the needle-exchange program may need some time because local drug users are still a little bit apprehensive. He added that he wants the program to be successful because he wants to help the community get better.

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