Push for tighter rules looms over Indiana needle exchange program

By: Tom Davies

Outlets: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Published: February 11, 2026

Words: 1,092

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

Body Text Preview

For Indiana’s syringe exchange programs to survive, they might face new restrictions that public health advocates say will undercut efforts to help intravenous drug abusers kick their addictions.

The programs face a renewal deadline this summer after first being authorized under then-Gov. Mike Pence in 2015 following an HIV outbreak in rural southern Indiana’s Scott County that was spread through needle sharing and infected around 200 people.

Six of the state’s 92 counties now …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us