Louisville Metro Government - File #: O-090-15

• File #: O-090-15
• Version: 2
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 4/13/2015
• In control: Public Safety Committee
• On agenda: 4/23/2015
• Final action: 4/23/2015
• Title: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM TO BE CREATED BY LOUISVILLE METRO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS. (AS AMENDED.)
• Sponsors: Rick Blackwell (D-12), Marianne Butler (D-15), David James (D-6), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13), Bill Hollander (D-9), David Yates (D-25), Mary C. Woolridge (D-3)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
4/23/2015	1	Metro Council
4/23/2015	1	Metro Council	amended	Pass
4/23/2015	1	Metro Council	passed as amended	Pass
4/21/2015	1	Public Safety Committee	recommended for approval	Pass

ORDINANCE NO. _____, SERIES 2015
title
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM TO BE CREATED BY LOUISVILLE METRO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS. (AS AMENDED.)
body
SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMEMBERS BLACKWELL, BUTLER,
JAMES, AUBREY WELCH, HOLLANDER, WOOLRIDGE AND YATES

WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Council is greatly concerned about the drug and heroin epidemic and the risks connected with intravenous drug use in our community; and
WHEREAS, studies indicate that the lack of sterile needles available on the streets, and the existence of laws restricting needle availability promote needle sharing, and consequently the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C among injection drug users. The sharing of contaminated needles is the primary means of HIV and Hepatitis C transmission within the injection drug user population; and
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2015 the Kentucky General Assembly amended state law that included giving municipalities the authority to implement a substance abuse program that includes a needles and syringes exchange component; and
WHEREAS, the amendment of KRS 218A requires that Louisville Metro Council give consent for the operation and/or management of a clean needle exchange program; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Council believes that a needle exchange program would greatly decrease the risk of spreading infectious diseases through the availability of clean hypodermic needles and syringes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (THE "COUNCIL") AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION I: A new section of LMCO Chapter 92 is hereby created and reads as follows:
The Louisville Metro Council, by this Ordinance, gives consent for Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness to operate and/or oversee a substance abuse treatment outreach program that allows participants to exchange hypodermic needles and syringes. Prior to implementing the needle exchang...