Barriers to Opioid Use Disorder Care in Polk County

The Public Science Collaborative analyzed and synthesized findings from six focus groups conducted with 42 individuals with lived experience of opioid use disorder (OUD) in Polk County, Iowa, in spring 2026. The focus groups were facilitated and transcribed by Rebel Healthcare. Participants represented three subpopulations: individuals residing in a minimum-security correctional facility, individuals engaged in community-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and individuals in community reentry following justice involvement. The analysis has been condensed into a summary of the barriers, both manifest and latent, that prevent people with OUD from accessing and remaining in care. The report concludes with a community action framework to inform the translation of our findings into actionable recommendations for Polk County Behavioral Health and Disability Services and its community-based partners.