SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. - The HIV outbreak in Scott County, Ind. is now being called an epidemic by Governor Mike Pence.
The county has gone from seven cases of HIV in January to at least 72, all of which are tied to injected drug use. It's an alarming number to hear for local residents.
The culprit behind the recent increase of cases can be traced back to a drug called opana, a prescription pain killer.
"I knew it was happening, but I didn't know it had gotten that bad," a Scott County resident said.
The vast majority of the HIV cases are in the small town of Austin.
"It scares me to death. I don't want to die, I'm trying to live I don't want to die from it," Austin residentTiffany Prater, a recovering drug addict, said.
She said the drastic rise in the number of HIV cases is frightening and her fear is fueling her fight to quit using.
Prater said she has been tested multiple times for HIV with negative results, but some of her friends have not been so lucky. She's hoping the statewide spotlight on Scott County will inspire other addicts to stop using and lead to a change in culture.
"If they had more educational programs or more job offers or something like that maybe people could change, but right now people don't have a chance in hell here," Prater said.
Pence will give more information about this health emergency Thursday morning at 10 a.m.
