(Des Moines, Iowa) The newly released 2018 Iowa Drug Control Strategy finds continued challenges related to opiod misuse, but also concerns about the use of methamphetamine. The report also cites marijuana among the most common addictive substances, threatening the health and safety of Iowans.
"Similar to the DEA's recent national drug threat assessment , new state data illustrate a widening impact of the opioid epidemic in Iowa, along with more methamphetamine trafficking and use," said Steve Lukan, Director of the Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy. "Given the prevalence of these and other addictive drugs, many of which are increasing in potency, we must redouble efforts to prevent all forms of substance abuse by younger and older Iowans alike."
Lukan says meth-labs have become rare in Iowa, but drug cartels south of the border have filled the void and are bringing in larger quantities of meth into the United States.
He says those who produced and sell illicit opioids, meth and marijuana concentrates are making them cheaper and more powerful for profit. He says that makes the drugs more dangerous for users, and more deadly.
The 2018 Iowa Drug Control Strategy sets three goals: 1) Reduce the number of Iowans who die from prescription and illicit opioid overdose, 2) Reduce the number of 11th graders who are current users of drugs and alcohol, and 3) Improve the number of Iowans who are employed post treatment.
The report submitted to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature, and outlines a comprehensive approach to effective substance abuse prevention, substance use disorder treatment and drug enforcement.
The complete annual report is available HERE.