Iowa Drug Statistics

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Data shows that those 18 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – alcohol detox and rehab in Iowa. If you’re using and abusing, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 515-650-6497. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Iowa is a transshipment point for drugs transported to the east and north-south. Hispanic trafficking organizations import large amounts of meth, sometimes with shipments of cocaine and marijuana.

Compared to other states

• Illicit drugs overall – low for those 18 and older
• Alcohol – among the highest for those 18 and older
• Pharmaceuticals – low for those 18 and older
• Cocaine – low for those 18 and older
• Marijuana – low for those 18 and older

Source: SAMHSA’s most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, based on 2008-2009 annual averages. SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A closer look

Alcohol

A significant problem.

Methamphetamine

Primary drug of concern. Ice is the main drug in central and western Iowa. But many users in Sioux City are interested in lower-priced and lower-quality powder meth, even as users in the state’s central region remain interested in ice. Large Mexican communities throughout Iowa provide Mexican traffickers with a pipeline and infrastructure to distribute meth.

Cocaine

Drug of concern in eastern Iowa. But cocaine HCl is readily available throughout the state. Sioux City has seen a notable increase in crack cocaine, with most of it coming into eastern Iowa from Chicago, California and Arkansas and sold by African-American traffickers. A population shift of low-income Chicago residents to Iowa has given Chicago-based gang members cover for their trafficking.

Marijuana

Southwest Border sources. The large Hispanic community in South Sioux City, Nebraska, primarily distributes wholesale marijuana in northwest Iowa. Local, small indoor and outdoor grow operations are in eastern and central Iowa. “Ditchweed,” a lower grade often seen in outdoor grows, is a continuing problem.

Pharmaceuticals

Hydrocodone products most prevalent. But OxyContin, benzodiazepines and codeine are also commonly abused. Sources include illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, “doctor shopping,” forged prescriptions, employee theft and internet purchases.

Heroin

Mostly in eastern part of state. Chicago-based street gangs traffic most of the black tar and white heroin in eastern Iowa. But Mexican heroin is available in retail quantities throughout the state’s urban areas.

Club drugs

Mostly MDMA (Ecstasy). In eastern Iowa, the drug comes from California, New York, Spain and the Netherlands. In central Iowa, the drug is produced in Canada and trafficked across the U.S. border. Transport into the state is via package services. MDMA and GHB use are both on the rise. Law enforcement has reported PCP available in Sioux City, LSD in central Iowa.

Percentage of Iowa population using/abusing drugs

¹ Age group is based on a respondent’s age at the time of the interview, not his or her age at first use.

² Illicit Drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically. Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana include cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically.

³ When the Perception of Great Risk in using marijuana or alcohol is low, use of marijuana or alcohol is high.

⁴ Binge Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion (i.e., at the same time or within a couple of hours of each other) on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.

⁵ Dependence or abuse is based on definitions found in the 4^th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

⁶ Needing But Not Receiving Treatment refers to respondents needing treatment for illicit drugs or alcohol, but not receiving treatment at a specialty facility.

⁷ Major Depressive Episode is a period of at least 2 weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and had a majority of the symptoms for depression as described in the DSM-IV.

Source: Condensed version of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004 and 2005, from SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies.