A needle exchange pilot project is now underway in Walkerton.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit started the project on this past Monday at the Bruce County sexual health offices.
Health Promotion Manager Denna Leach says staff will distribute needles to intravenous drug users in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases including HIV and Hepatitis-C.
Pilot projects have been running in Owen Sound and Hanover since last August.
Leach says Grey Bruce is one a few remaining areas not to have fully implemented a permanent needle exchange program.
Leach says that’s because there have been no known cases of drug abuse in the region until three years ago.
Leach says statistics show there are about 300 injection drug users.
Provincial guidelines state such programs are mandatory in areas where intravenous drug use is a problem in the community.
Ultimately, results from the now 4 pilot project locations will show whether there is a need for a permanent needle exchange program, and where.
