Sexually Transmitted Infection (prevention, testing, and treatment)

IHRC works to create health equity in Iowa communities through advocacy, education, and drug user health services.

We are committed to building power among people impacted by the war on drugs, including people who use drugs and communities of color; committed to acceptance of stigmatized and minoritized peoples and people who use drugs; and committed to dismantling systems of race, class, and gender-based privilege.

Health & Social Services

Using a drug user health framework, IHRC provides comprehensive health and social services to people who use or inject drugs.

Services prioritize the unique health concerns of people who use drugs, including overdose prevention, prevention of disease transmission, treatment for substance use dependency, and homelessness. IHRC utilizes a harm reduction model and meets participants literally where they're at, offering services in multiple low-barrier settings, including home deliveries, mobile outreach, and office-based services.

IHRC offers services in four metro areas and 23 of Iowa's 99 counties. We are consistently expanding our services and service area, and we offer groups of individuals the opportunity to bring harm reduction services to their community by implementing chapters of the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition.

IHRC's service portfolio can be divided into two programmatic areas: overdose & infectious disease. All services offered are centered on the prevention and treatment of overdose and infectious disease. With regards to overdose, services include overdose prevention training, naloxone distribution, intensive patient navigation for linkage to care, and engagement in peer recovery support services. With regards to infectious disease, services include counselling, education, and distribution of materials for the prevention of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections associated with drug use (emphasizing HIV, hepatitis C, abscess, bacteremia, and endocarditis); HIV and hepatitis C testing; wound care; and patient navigation and intensive case management for linkage to care for hepatitis C.

Risk Reduction Kits
We offer safer injection and risk reduction kits, which include cottons, cookers, ties, sterile water, antibiotic wipes, vitamin C, band-aids, and condoms. By improving access to these materials, we help people who inject heroin, meth, and other drugs reduce their risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis C.

Naloxone Kits
Naloxone is the life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose and is also commonly known as Narcan. We provide free naloxone kits and training on naloxone use to individuals, families, and organizations, and do not require a prescription or insurance.

Syringe Clean Up
Used syringes are often found in public spaces and construction sites throughout Eastern Iowa. We provide free syringe clean up and disposal of sharps upon request via our hotline, (319) 214-0540.

HIV/HCV Rapid Testing
IHRC provides free HIV and hepatitis C rapid testing. Tests can be administered anywhere, anytime, and are available at IHRC’s office, via outreach locations, or can take place in an individual’s home.

Hotline
We operate a 24-hour hotline to answer questions related to safer injection, vein health, and wound care. We also schedule supply mailings, deliveries, and drop-offs through this number.

To schedule or request a supply mailing or delivery in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids, please call (319) 214-0540. For access in Des Moines & Central Rapids, please call (515) 957-1252. Please note that we are unable to provide comprehensive medical advice through this hotline. In case of an emergency, please call 911.

Fentanyl Test Strips
Because fentanyl increases the risk of overdose when present in heroin, meth, and cocaine, we provide drug testing materials that allow participants to test their drugs. Drug testing allows individuals to make informed decisions about their use and to reduce the risk of overdose.

Linkage to Housing & Homelessness Services
For individuals experiencing homelessness, we provide linkage to supportive services and rapid re-housing programs.

Linkage to Substance Use & Drug Treatment
Because treatment can be difficult to access in Iowa, we work with individuals to help them gain access to local methadone and suboxone treatment programs, also known as MAT, for opiate dependency.

Patient Navigation for Hepatitis C
We provide linkage into care and patient navigation services for individuals living with hepatitis C. Because receiving curative hepatitis C treatment is a complicated process, we offer patient navigation services primarily for individuals enrolled in IA Medicaid.

Virtual Overdose Prevention Site
For people using drugs by themselves, IHRC offers a courtesy call or safety check system. Send a text message with your address and location to our anonymous hotline (319-214-0540) and request a safety check within a certain number of minutes. If you do not answer a phone call at that time, we will alert emergency medical services. If you’d like someone to stay on the phone with you, you may call the number above.

Rural Naloxone Access
IHRC mails naloxone around Iowa through the national naloxone mailing system, NEXT naloxone. Request a kit through NEXT, our website, or our hotline. IHRC also provides naloxone training to farmers, agricultural workers, and people working in Iowa feedlots to expand overdose prevention to rural communities in our state.

Sex Worker Support
IHRC provides outreach services to people engaging in club-based and full-service sex work. Services include access to condoms & lube, Narcan distribution to local clubs, and non-judgmental and confidential counseling. Have a bad date? Call or text IHRC to help us share information about bad dates to keep others in the sex work community safe.