Despite lack of county council support, needle exchange will continue Allegheny County Council, upset with its lack of involvement with the region’s sole needle-exchange program, rejected earlier this month a health-department bill that would put stricter regulations on the program, further lengthening a debate that started more than a year ago. “Needle exchange is critical,” says Prevention Point Pittsburgh Executive Director Renee Cox. “The crux of our service is to keep drug users as healthy as possible until they can get help for their addiction.”