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).

A Matter of Substance, April 2012

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, May 2012

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, October 2012

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, June 2012

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, August 2012

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, September 2012

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, November 2012

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, December 2012

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, January 2013

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, March 2013

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, April 2013

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, May 2013

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

A Matter of Substance, June 2013

A publication of the IDPH Division of Behavioral Health to find out what's happening with Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

Statewide Process and Comparative Outcomes Study of 2003 Iowa Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts, August 2009

A statewide evaluation of the six adult and three juvenile drug courts in operation during calendar year 2003 was conducted. Completion rates, recidivism, substance abuse treatment, and supervision and placement (juveniles only) costs were examined by model (Judge and Community Panel) and by Judicial District. In addition, adult drug court participants were compared with a group of offenders who were screened and declined or were rejected by drug court in 2003 (referred) and a sample of offenders starting probation in 2003 (probationer). The adult participant and comparison groups were tracked from their entry into drug court, or the study, through December 31, 2007. This yielded an average post-program follow-up time of almost 3 years (2.9) for drug court participants. For the juvenile portion, drug court participants were compared with a group matched on several demographic and offense variables (Matched Comparison group) and juveniles referred to drug court who did not enter the program (Referred Comparison group). The juvenile participant and comparison groups were tracked from their entry into drug court, or the study, through approximately 16 quarters after program discharge with an end date of December 31, 2007.