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Black Hawk County health director reports medetomidine advisory, naloxone pilot and $1.02M HUD lead grant notice
Summary
Director Kaitlin Emrich told the Board of Health the department issued a health advisory about rising medetomidine in the illicit drug supply, piloted naloxone distribution at outreach events, and received notice of a $1.02 million HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant; an official award announcement is pending.
Kaitlin Emrich, director of Black Hawk County Public Health, told the board on April 29 that the department issued an April 2 health advisory warning of a rapid increase in medetomidine found as an adulterant in the U.S. illicit drug supply and urged continued harm-reduction outreach.
Emrich said the department has piloted naloxone distribution at outreach events and will roll out annual provider letters to clarify reporting requirements. She said Teletask mass-communication software was implemented to improve rapid messaging to partners and the public.
Emrich reported the department received notification from Senator Grassley’s office that a Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant of $1.02 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been awarded to the department; she said an official announcement is pending. Emrich also warned the board of funding impacts tied to the termination of the Nucera Pharmacy and Iowa HHS contract, estimating reductions of $21,354 for FY26 and $50,708 for FY27 and noting Iowa HHS indicated it would handle emergency procurement if needed.
Board members asked staff to continue coordinating partner communications and to provide follow-up details on how the HUD grant will be used once the official award notice is received. The board took no formal vote on program changes during the update; items requiring action were scheduled for future meetings.
The board’s next regular meeting is set for May 27, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. in Room 220 at 1407 Independence Ave., Waterloo, where staff said they will provide additional implementation details for the grant and for naloxone distribution plans.
