State Heroin Epidemic Calls For Excess Funding for Iowa Rehab Centers
Drug overdose is the #1 cause of accidental death in the U.S., and is driven by opioid abuse, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The state of Iowa is currently experiencing a surge in heroin and opioid abuse, and is churning through higher quantities of an opioid overdose antidote in an effort to prevent overdose deaths. At present, Iowa feels that its opioid epidemic can be addressed with extra funding that can be used to heighten awareness, and expand access to Iowa rehab centers.
Are you addicted to heroin or opioids and need help overcoming your addiction? Call our confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about your addiction treatment options, and for help with finding nearby Iowa rehab centers.
Excess Funding for Iowa Addiction Treatment
Increased funds could reduce opioid overdose rates in Iowa.
Congress recently agreed to give the Obama administration $181 million to address the country’s opioid epidemic. The funds will mainly be used to educate the public on opioid addiction, and to expand access to addiction treatment programs. But Dale Woolery, associate director of the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy, says it may take awhile before Iowa receives any federal funds, since Iowa ranks lower in overdose deaths and opioid abuse rates than other states.
State officials say opioid overdoses are on the rise because high-purity heroin is being sold on the streets at cheaper costs than prescription opioids. Plus, dealers are lacing heroin with potent synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil — both of which are highly dangerous and fueling the rate of accidental overdoses. Lt. Tony Sposeto from the Des Moines Fire Department says fentanyl and carfentanil are at least 100 times more potent than heroin by itself.
Excess funding could help Iowa improve and expand its current addiction treatment programs, including those offered by most opioid rehab centers. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services increased nationwide access to buprenorphine, which treats addiction to opioids. With extra funding, Iowa would have greater access to buprenorphine, which could help lower opioid addiction rates across the state.
How Iowa Rehab Centers Can Address Opioid Epidemic
Rehab centers offer several treatment programs designed to help those who struggle with addiction achieve lifelong sobriety. At inpatient rehab centers, those overcoming heroin and opioid addiction can detox safely under close medical supervision. Opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms can be intense throughout detox, and difficult to overcome alone without medical intervention.
The state of Iowa wants to expand addiction prevention programs and raise awareness around heroin and opiate abuse. Fortunately, patients who go to Iowa rehab centers benefit from ongoing education about addiction and opioid use, and tend to fare better with lifelong sobriety following treatment.
Lastly, the state’s increased access to opioid overdose antidote naloxone can help Iowa rehab centers save the lives of recovering addicts who experience relapses. So far, naloxone has played a major role in helping Iowa lower its fatal overdose rates. Heroin overdose deaths have decreased by 25% since 2013, while overdose deaths from other opioids have decreased by more than 50% since 2011.
If you’re struggling with addiction to heroin or another opioid, understand that you don’t have to face and overcome addiction on your own. Call our helpline at 888-414-2380 to speak with a treatment specialist who can guide you toward Iowa rehab centers that specialize in opioid addiction. Overcoming opioid addiction can help you get back to living a fulfilling, happy, and healthy life, for many more years to come.
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