Scott County health official reports expanded syringe service outreach, hepatitis C linkages and jail treatment pilot

Dr. Miller, a public-health presenter at a joint Scott County Fiscal Court and Georgetown City Council workshop, reported that the county’s syringe service program—launched in February 2019—has expanded testing, referrals and on-site care and now serves as a gateway to services including hepatitis C treatment.

Dr. Miller told elected officials the program recorded 789 total visits in the most recent 12-month reporting period and serves 136 enrolled participants. The program recorded 42 people who were “new to harm reduction” in the reporting year and an average participant age of about 40. Staff distributed 292 naloxone (Narcan) kits and said the program recorded 72 overdose responses tracked through a system called ODMAP.

Program staff emphasized the service model is anonymous and confidential; clients receive a unique identifier instead of name-based records. The program uses retractable syringes to reduce post-use safety risks for public workers, and staff said they have increased outreach, partnered with…