City to introduce needle-exchange program to combat heroin, infectious diseases

Combating heroin’s ability to diminish and destroy is a task both daunting and complex. Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long are convinced they can help with clean needles, treatment, testing for HIV and hepatitis C and improved access to a naloxone, a drug that can rescue addicts from potentially fatal overdoses. “There’s an epidemic in Ohio and it’s knocking on our front door in Columbus in a significant way,” said Coleman, who