KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The increase of injection drug use and the sharing of needles in northeast Indiana in the past several years has been staggering. One of the consequences has been a significant jump in the number of individuals contracting HCV, more commonly known as Hepatitis C. Positive Resource Connection, which has been offering free HIV testing through the Kosciusko County Health Department for several years, will now add HCV screenings thanks to a grant of $5,689.00 from K21 Health Foundation.

“While we have had the Hep C screenings at our Fort Wayne location for several months, we were unable to do the testing in Kosciusko County due to the guidelines set for by the Indiana State Department of Health for drawing blood,” said Kandace Kelly, PRC Director of Outreach Services. “This grant will allow us to purchase rapid HCV test kits that will give results in a matter of minutes with only a drop of blood.”  PRC, serves 12 counties in northeast Indiana with a mission to prevent new cases of HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis, and STDs and advance a compassionate and stigma free community response.

“We have become more aware of the growing epidemic of intravenous drug use and the sharing of needles in recent months,” explained K21 CEO Rich Haddad. “There is a lot of local activity surrounding this problem and K21 is finding opportunities to collaborate with other organizations that are providing programs and services to address it. This grant helps provide a service that is currently lacking in our community.”

The free HIV and HCV tests are available at the Kosciusko County Immunization Clinic on the first Monday of every month from 1:15 to 4 p.m. For more information about the services offered by PRC, please call (260) 744-1144 or visit their website.

K21 Health Foundation exists for the benefit of Kosciusko County citizens to ensure health care services are provided, and to advance prevention and healthy living.  For more information about the K21 Health Foundation, call (574) 269-5188 or visit online.