A couple of Iowa health experts say the increase in opioid deaths in the state is alarming -- but they are confident things can turn around. University of Iowa professor of psychiatry and emergency medicine, Dr. Gerard Clancy, says nearly 30 percent of their clinic and emergency room visits are … [Read more...]
Bipartisan Senate bill seeks nationwide plan to deal with meth
A bipartisan bill targeting meth breezed through the U.S. Senate last night that was co-sponsored by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and California Democrat Dianne Feinstein. Grassley, a Republican, says the bill aims to bring better help to addicts and greater punishment for dealers. "The bill … [Read more...]
Drug Czar says two dimensional process needed to handle drug overdoses
Iowa's Drug Czar is looking to address the record number of alcohol and drug-related overdose deaths in the next year. Dale Woolery says on the drug side it's not a simple solution. "It's not a one-dimensional issue -- it's at minimum a two-dimensional issue where we have to work on reducing the … [Read more...]
Pandemic added fuel to fire of 2020 drug overdose issues
The Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy has released its strategy for addressing issues in the next year. Director Dale Woolery says there are problems, but the state is in better shape than many others. "In terms of progress in relative terms for context -- we have a situation where we are … [Read more...]
Senate field hearing in Cedar Rapids to focus on drug abuse
A congressional field hearing on drug abuse in Iowa will be held in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, hosted by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. The hearing will offer testimony to the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. Grassley, a Republican, says one focus will be on opioids, which are … [Read more...]
Iowa Poison Control Center warns against use of Ivermectin
Some Iowans are ignoring warnings and taking a powerful medication designed for deworming cattle and horses in hopes of preventing or treating COVID-19. Tammy Noble, a registered nurse, and spokeswoman for the Iowa Poison Control Center, says there's suddenly a lot of buzz over Ivermectin and the … [Read more...]
Drug overdoses increase during pandemic
Federal officials report drug overdoses rose 30% nationwide last year, the biggest annual increase in history. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 428 Iowans died from drug overdoses last year. That’s compared to 346 the previous year. Alison Lynch, director of the University of Iowa’s … [Read more...]
Reynolds may send state troopers back to Texas/Mexico border
Governor Kim Reynolds says undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs are "infiltrating" Iowa and she may send state troopers to Texas to provide border security in the future. "As the federal government effectively ignores its constitutional duty to secure our border, states must act and Iowa … [Read more...]
Millions more coming to state in another opioid abuse settlement
Iowa is set to receive up to $170 million from a lawsuit settlement with four companies accused of contributing to the nation’s opioid addiction and overdose crisis. The state’s share comes as part of a 26 billion dollar deal involving drug-maker Johnson and Johnson and three opioid distributors … [Read more...]
West Union man sentenced to federal prison on meth charge
A northeast Iowa man who sexually assaulted a woman after giving her methamphetamine will spend more than 18 years in federal prison. Fifty-six-year-old Herman Lee Ronnfeldt from West Union pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Court information showed a search … [Read more...]