TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—202 SOUTH MONROE STREET ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916 NEWS RELEASE - April 19, 2018

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

Needle Exchange Program In Alderson ALDERSON STARTS NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM Beginning   Monday   May,   14,   2018   at   10:00   am   and   ending   at   2   p.m.,   Alderson’s   collaborative needle   exchange   will   begin.   The   temporary   location   is   at   the   Greenbrier   River   Interpretive Center   (the   old   Gulf   station)   in   Alderson.   As   soon   as   a   new   location   can   be   made   ready,   the needle   exchange   will   move   to   a   location   better   fitting   the   needs   of   the   clients   and   service providers. This   needle   exchange   is   a   joint   program   among   several   churches,   groups,   volunteers,   the Town   of   Alderson,   Alderson   Police   Department,   Greenbrier   County   Sheriff’s   Department   and the    Greenbrier    County    Health    Department.    It    will    be    held    every    two    weeks    on    Mondays alternating between 10-2 and 5-9.  Individuals   seeking   to   exchange   needles   will   not   be   able   to   just   walk   in   and   get   needles.   The process   requires   a   structured   approach   which   involves   peer   coaching,   spiritual   counseling, epidemiology,   and   public   health   counseling.   Further,   if   individuals   need   testing   for   hepatitis   B, C, HIV, and/or syphilis, it will be available for them at the time of exchange. Needles   are   only   traded   on   a   “bring   in-take   out”   basis.      Clients   may   not   grab   a   handful   and   go. If   a   client   brings   in   two,   they   get   two   clean   needles   in   exchange.   Other   supplies   including needle   boxes   for   the   return   and   sterile   supplies   are   included   in   the   process.   Counselors   will also make arrangements for those who are ready to go to rehab at that time. Mayor   Travis   Copenhaver   said,   “This   process   is   not   to   encourage   IV   drug   abuse,   but   to educate   those   who   are   IV   drug   users   about   the   outcomes   that   adversely   affect   not   only   them, but   the   entire   community.   This   does   not   mean   that   the   Town   of   Alderson   will   not   be   enforcing its   ordinances   and   continuing   its   efforts   to   curb   drug   abuse   and   the   problems   that   accompany it.   However,   the   needle   exchange   area   will   not   be   a   targeted   enforcement   area   for   those   who come in or leave.” The   Town   of Alderson   has   provided   education   to   the   elementary   school   staff   in   the   handling   of found   needles;   the   socioeconomic   problems   and   stigma   around   drug   abuse   and   its   effects;   and what resources are available. The   third,   fourth,   and   fifth   grade   classes   at   Alderson   Elementary   have   been   educated   by   the school   health   nurses   about   drug   abuse.   As   the   result   of   a   grant,   there   will   be   a   graduation dinner for the graduates of this training and their parents or guardians. Mayor   Copenhaver   concluded,   “We   hope   everyone   understands   our   efforts   are   for   safety,   and prevention,   and   come   with   the   hope   that   those   who   may   not   have   previously   received   the   help they need will take advantage of this opportunity.”