The Iowa Department of Corrections says a large-scale investigation turned up evidence of approximately 60 inmates who were consuming, possessing, or introducing the synthetic drug K-2 at the prison in Clarinda. Department of Corrections spokesman, Cade Overton, says staff at the Clarinda … [Read more...]
Search of Clarinda prison turns up synthetic drugs
The Iowa Department of Corrections says a large-scale investigation has turned up evidence of the synthetic drug K-2 at the prison in Clarinda. Information from the Department of Corrections spokesman says staff at the Clarinda facility began noticing last week a sudden increase in the number of … [Read more...]
Number of opiod overdose deaths increases
Preliminary information from the Iowa Department of Public Health shows a 35% increase in opioid overdose deaths in 2020 when compared to 2019. The director of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, Dale Woolery says the record 212 deaths come despite a lot of work on the issue. "We … [Read more...]
Dubuque man’s life sentence on drug charge upheld
The Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld the life sentence for an eastern Iowa man found guilty of selling a fatal dose of heroin. The court upheld the jury verdict against 49-year-old Richard Parker of Dubuque. Evidence showed that Parker obtained several grams of heroin from Chicago … [Read more...]
Bill to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for medical use fails to advance
An Iowa lawmaker who's been trying to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for medical use got a statehouse hearing on the idea early today, but Representative Jeff Shipley's bill was defeated in subcommittee on a 0-3 vote. Shipley, a Republican from Fairfield, says psilocybin -- the chemical found in … [Read more...]
Bill would reduce charge for possession of small amounts of pot
A bill that would reduce the penalty for people caught with small amounts of marijuana has again cleared a subcommittee in the Iowa Senate. Supporters say the bill will help Iowans who have difficulty qualifying for college scholarships, loans and jobs because of a marijuana possession … [Read more...]
It may become a crime in Iowa to use fake urine in workplace drug tests
The Iowa House and Senate have approved a bill to make it a crime to use fake urine for workplace drug and alcohol tests. Representative Brian Lohse, a Republican from Bondurant, said it's become "a pervasive problem." "As a small business owner myself, I can personally attest to this as it … [Read more...]
State to receive millions in opioid abuse settlement
Iowa will receive a share of a multi-million dollar settlement with consulting firm McKinsey & Company for the firm's role in fueling the opioid epidemic. Attorney General Tom Miller says the company help accelerate the use of opioid painkillers. "The argument that we've made in negotiating … [Read more...]
Drake law expert has concerns about Linn County marijuana diversion program
The Linn County Attorney’s Office is launching a limited marijuana diversion program, allowing some people charged with possession to avoid a criminal record. The program is for first-time offenders with no previous felony charges. Studies find black Iowans are far more likely than white Iowans … [Read more...]
Lehigh man going to prison for distributing meth
A Webster County man faces a federal prison sentence on a drug charge. Seventy-two-year-old Thomas Hendrickson of Lehigh has been sentenced to seven years for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Court documents say he was involved in a meth distribution operation most of 2019. In October of … [Read more...]