Monroe County, Indiana

The Monroe County Health Department contracts with the Indiana Recovery Alliance (IRA) to operate the Monroe County Syringe Service Program (MCSSP) in Monroe County. MCHD Harm Reduction staff provide services during mobile MCSSP outreach alongside IRA staff/volunteers three days per week. 

In 2015 the Monroe County Health Officer sent a declaration of a local public health emergency to the Commissioners as a part of the process to request a Syringe Service Program (SSP). 

The MCSSP is generally open 7 days a week and operates out of both the Indiana Recovery 
Alliance office at 118 S. Rogers St. in Bloomington, IN, or out of a mobile outreach van at one of our offsite partner locations. 

Starting in April 2022 on the 4th Tuesday of the month, our partners at Positive Link bring a nurse and a Hep C navigator onsite to the Indiana Recovery Alliance from 2 pm-4:30 pm before SSP outreach hours. The nurse can provide limited wound care and advice on managing things like abscesses and soft tissue damage which in some cases can become life-threatening if not addressed. Additionally, she can discuss with you Hep C treatment and/or PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). The navigator can help you address any barriers to accessing Hep C treatment and/or PrEP, help you get scheduled with a Hep C or PrEP treatment provider, and be a resource throughout your Hep C and/or PrEP treatment. 

What is a Syringe Service Program (SSP)? A community-based public health program that provides comprehensive harm reduction services such as:  Sterile needles, syringes, and other injection equipment Safe disposal containers for needles and syringes HIV and hepatitis testing and linkage to treatment Education about overdose prevention and safer injection practices Referral to substance use disorder treatment, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) Referral to medical, mental health, and social services Tools to prevent HIV, STDs, and viral hepatitis include counseling, condoms, and vaccinations
How do SSPs benefit communities and public safety? Reduce overdose deaths  Reduce new HIV and viral hepatitis infections Increase entry into substance use disorder treatment  Reduce needlestick injuries They do not increase local crime in the areas where they are located
This page was updated/reviewed on 9/22/22

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