Effort to eliminate HIV/AIDS epidemic starts in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A three-day intensive effort to eliminate the HIV/AIDS epidemic launches in Indianapolis on Thursday.

The Damien Center, Walgreens and Greater than AIDS teamed up to make widespread free screening available across Indianapolis ahead of National HIV Testing Day on June 27.

Oral tests with on-site results in minutes will be performed for free at the Joseph F. Miller Testing Center at 26 North Arsenal Avenue and these Walgreens locations:

· 3003 Kessler Blvd North Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46222

· 3205 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201

· 7506 N. Shadeland Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46250

· 1530 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202

· 3545 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46268

· 342 Massachusetts Avenue, #103, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Trained counselors will perform the testing on Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Damien Center said 15 percent of those with HIV in Indiana do not know their status.

The Indiana State Department of Health has said half of the more than the state’s 10,000 people living with HIV and AIDS live in central Indiana.