Northwest Iowa — This Friday is National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. From 2014 through 2017, there was a 38-percent increased in methamphetamine treatment admission across the state of Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Similarly, the IDPH reports there was an eight-fold increase in Iowa deaths related to amphetamines, which includes meth.
We talked with Cheryl Buntsma of Compass Pointe says meth use has been on the rise in our area, as well.
Earlier this week the IDPH announced a decrease in opioid use in Iowa, but Buntsma says she’s not seeing a major decrease here in northwest Iowa.
The IDPH says meth is now the second most reported drug by adults at admission to treatment, moving ahead of marijuana for the first time.
Buntsma says that while there are several treatment centers in the area, getting into their programs can often be a challenge.
She says the fight against addiction must be fought on two fronts: getting treatment for users, and finding ways to help prevent people from using the drug in the first place.
If you’re concerned about your own meth use, or that of someone you care about, free and confidential help is available 24/7. The IDPH encourages you to visit www.YourLifeIowa.org. If you’re in northwest Iowa, Buntsma says you can call the Compass Pointe office in Spencer at 712-262-2952. Whether you visit the website, or make a phone call, do it today. There is help out there for you.
