A New Era in Health Care: Expansion of Resources for HIV Prevention and Opioid Overdose Recovery in the Northeast Health District

The Northeast Health District has announced an expansion of resources available to local residents, including PrEP and naloxone. PrEP, which stands for “pre-exposure prophylaxis,” is an oral medication that reduces the risk of HIV infection when taken daily as prescribed. The district serves Barrow, Clarke, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton counties. Taking PrEP along with the use of condoms and other prevention methods can help protect against HIV.

The district’s clinics provide referrals for PrEP services as well as free rapid HIV testing and counseling. Currently, PrEP services are available at health departments in Clarke, Walton, and Greene counties with plans to expand into other counties in the future. Naloxone, a nasal spray that blocks the effects of opioids and reverses overdoses, is now offered at all health department clinics in the Northeast Health District.

Naloxone is available over-the-counter at no cost through a partnership with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Each kit contains two doses of naloxone as more than one dose may be required when dealing with stronger opioids like fentanyl. For more information on PrEP and to be contacted by the Northeast Health District regarding treatment visit Project10: HIV Testing