Syringe Service Program

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 1710 W. 3rd St. in Bloomington, IN, or out of a mobile outreach van at one of our offsite partner locations.

On the 3rd Tuesday of the month, our partners at Positive Link send a Hep C and PrEP navigator to the Indiana Recovery Alliance from 5pm - 7pm, during SSP hours. The navigator can discuss Hep C treatment and/ or PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) for HIV. The navigator can assist with addressing 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 the Hep C treatment or PrEP medication process. During these hours, Health Department staff is also present to provide Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing as well as rapid HIV and Hep C testing.

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 7/30/2026

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