Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse in Iowa, January 5, 2011

Prescription drug abuse is the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem, as outlined by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s 2011 national plan “Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis.” The urgency of the challenge is underscored in other reports, including a recent analysis by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that said: “Overdoses involving prescription painkillers are at epidemic levels and now kill more Americans than heroin and cocaine combined.” According to the CDC, more than 40 people die in America every day from overdoses involving narcotic pain relievers such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (Oxycontin), methadone and oxymorphone (Opana). In Iowa, the situation is similar, at least in some ways. Prescription drug abuse is one of the fastest-growing forms of substance abuse in our state too, though its scope is smaller and on a more manageable scale when compared with most other states. The Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, reports the drug overdose deaths of at least 130 Iowans over the last three years (2008-2010) due to non-heroin opioids (i.e., prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone), nearly as many as for the previous eight years combined (149 from 2000-2007).

Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Programs, 2003

Addresses and information for licensed substance abuse programs in the state of Iowa.

D-3 2002-2 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, July-December 2002

Adult dependent abuse report from the Iowa Department of Human Services

D-3 2002-1 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, January-June 2002

Adult dependent abuse report from the Iowa Department of Human Services

D-3 2003-1 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, January-June 2003

Adult dependent abuse report from the Iowa Department of Human Services

D-3 2000-2 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, July-December 2000

Adult dependent abuse report from the Iowa Department of Human Services

D-3 2001-1 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, January-June 2001

Adult dependent abuse report from the Iowa Department of Human Services

D-3 2001-2 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, July-December 2001

Adult dependent abuse report from the Iowa Department of Human Services

Investigation of the Department Human Services' handling of allegations of child abuse concerning Shelby Duis, 2000

Investigative report produced by Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman

D-3 2003-2 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, July-December 2003

Adult dependent abuse report from the Iowa Department of Human Services

D-3 2004-1 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, January-June 2004

Reported Dependent Adult Abuse by County

D-3 2005-2 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, July-December 2005

D-3 Dependent Adult Abuse Report

D-3 2004-2 Dependent Adult Abuse Report, July - December 2004

Dependent adult abuse report

Does Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Reduce Recidivism?Performance Audit Report Iowa Department of Corrections Licensed Substance Abuse Programs, May 25, 2007

The Iowa Department of Corrections faces a growing prison population expected to quickly exceed current capacities. Additionally, nine out of every ten offenders have a history of alcohol or drug problems often both. Research suggests that alcohol and drugs lead to criminal behavior, which lead offenders right back to prison creating a vicious circle and placing a financial and societal burden on the state. However, research also shows that substance abuse treatment can minimize criminal behavior, and offers a way to shut the revolving prison door. Substance abuse programming attempts to change offender thinking patterns and behavior in order to facilitate re-entry back into the community, lessen substance abuse relapse and reduce recidivism. Yet nearly 60% of offenders with identified needs are not treated, and many lacking treatment are high risk. Additionally, the percentage of offenders returning to prison varies significantly from program to program and some programs can not show they have reduced recidivism when compared to offender groups with substance abuse problems and receiving no treatment at all. All of which minimize the effect substance Abuse programming has in curbing prison population growth and reducing crime.

Dependent Adult Abuse Professional Forums, 2006

Nine forums were held across the state to continue the ongoing dialogue with professionals and stakeholders about how the service delivery and protection system for dependent adults and elders is functioning. Opinions were sought on what was working well, what could work better and their suggestions for improvements and/or changes at the local and state level.