Iowa awarded $1.7 million to combat opioid abuse

The U.S. Department of Justice has notified the Governor’s Office of Drug and Control Policy (ODCP) that the State of Iowa will receive a Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) grant of $1,737,192 to enhance opioid-related efforts in the state. This funding will support the implementation and study of diversion to treatment program in three counties: Jones, Story, and Black Hawk. The grant will also fund additional prescription drug take-back receptacles, training, and data study collection. 

“This new grant will allow us to develop and evaluate new forms of early intervention as well as efficiently link those in need of substance use disorder treatment with local service providers,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Iowa continues to be all hands on deck to combat opioid abuse.” 

Dale Woolery, director of ODCP said, “The pilot project that will be supported with this grant represents a new and promising approach to changing needs involving opioid misuse and other addictive substances in Iowa. We will monitor this innovative project and learn from its outcomes.” 

COAP grant funds awarded to Iowa aim to reduce opioid misuse and the number of overdose fatalities, as well as to mitigate the impacts on crime victims by supporting comprehensive, collaborative initiatives. This project will reduce substance abuse and criminal involvement with non-violent individuals by implementing pre-post-arrest diversion to treatment programs in each of the three counties. 

ODCP will collaborate with these three counties to implement pre-post-arrest diversion to treatment programs. ODCP will also partner with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, Midwest Counter-Drug Training Center, and the Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning.