Huntington Officials: Needle Exchange Program Succeeding

  The city of Huntington says a program that allows drug users to trade in dirty syringes for clean ones is showing signs of success.

The program was established in September at the Cabell-Huntington Health Department and involves elected officials, health professionals, private businesses and members of the recovery community.

Recovery Point of Huntington Executive Director Matt Boggs said in a news release from the city that the program has had steady usage.

The exchange program offers educational materials and recovery coaches. The coaches are at the Health Department to provide peer support to anyone who seeks treatment Wednesday afternoons.

The release says city officials believe substance use and abuse trends will decrease due to the program and other efforts.