SAN ANTONIO -- HIV and Hepatitis C are on the rise, spread through needles and the growing opioid epidemic, and a needle exchange program is taking center stage.

It is a program that usually takes place in large cities, but has actually been legal in San Antonio for years.

"Syringe exchange programs are legal in Bexar County, and people who choose to offer those services will not be prosecuted, arrested, hassled like they have been in the past," said Metro Health Director Dr. Colleen Bridger.

After months of planning, elected officials, the District Attorney’s office, Metro Health, and religious organizations have sat down for the first time to discuss what a syringe exchange would mean for Bexar County.

"Right now there's no public funding for this. Religious organizations, and nonprofits, and pharmacies are doing this because it's the right thing to do," Bridger said.

While some see handing out clean needles as controversial, others see it as an act of compassion and a way to spread education about treatment services. The green light was given locally several years ago due to efforts by the late Texas state Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon.

"A while ago there was legislation introduced that allowed only Bexar County to offer syringe services programs at the discretion of the DA," said Bridger.

The current district attorney, Nico la Hood, agrees with the program, but that wasn't always the case from previous administrations.

"They've been forced underground by previous DAs. In the fall, if we can put together a map that shows where all the different syringe program services are located, that's going to be really beneficial to the community," Bridger said.

On June 23 there will be another training similar to this one, all leading up to November when leaders will do a larger community reveal of the services available.