In a perfect world without addictive drugs, there would be no need for a needle exchange program.

But addictive drugs such as heroin are a reality, and some people will continue to use drugs, with many ultimately losing their lives to their addictions. For decades, our government has mounted an effort to combat drug use and has been somewhat successful, but it is impossible to totally eliminate drug abuse in this country.

One major drug problem that has popped up in Kentucky – mainly in the northern and eastern areas of the state – in recent years is heroin and other opioids. Some argue that the rise of these drugs can be traced to the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting system, or KASPER, which was used to combat prescription pain pills and methamphetamine and the products used to make meth, such as Sudafed. Whatever the reasons, we certainly have a heroin epidemic in this state that has claimed a lot of lives.

Although we can’t stop the use of heroin, we can make sure those who do use this drug have the opportunity to receive help from a needle exchange program. Warren County approved its needle exchange program in 2016. Since then, the Warren County Health Department has served more than 100 people and has taken more than 3,000 dirty needles off our streets. More than 4,176 clean needles have been given to participants. Three clients participating in the program have said they have either decreased their drug use or quit using altogether.

These numbers show that the program does indeed work.

That’s why we were very glad to see that Barren County appears to be on its way toward approving a needle exchange program. Barren County Fiscal Court narrowly approved a proposed needle exchange program this week, even though some in the county feel such programs promote drugs by giving free needles away. We couldn’t disagree more. The needle exchange program would allow drug users to trade dirty needles for clean ones at a one-to-one ratio and offer them opportunities to be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, infections that are often spread through needle sharing. Users also will learn about local treatment opportunities. The ultimate goal of the program is to get them off drugs.

The Glasgow City Council still has to vote on the proposed program because the program would be located in Glasgow. We hope the council votes to allow this needle exchange program to become reality, because it does work.

Barren County Magistrate Carl Dickerson said it best: “If one person gets off drugs because of this program, it’s worth every, every bit of it. One person is worth it all.”