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Board proclaims May 2025 Methamphetamine Prevention Month; Heartland Family Service warns of rising local meth harms
Summary
Pottawattamie County declared May 2025 Methamphetamine Prevention Month and heard a presentation from Heartland Family Service on rising meth purity, overdoses and local distribution pathways.
The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors on May 13 proclaimed May 2025 as Methamphetamine Prevention Month and received a presentation from Heartland Family Service highlighting increased meth activity in the region.
Megan Ballard of Heartland Family Service and another prevention specialist briefed the board on local trends and prevention efforts. The presenter said meth use is increasing in Iowa and described 2024 data from Council Bluffs: local responders reported 24 overdoses in 2024, seven of which were fatal and six of the fatalities involved methamphetamine. The presenter added that methamphetamine now entering the area can be as high as 98% purity and that some supplies arrive through small local cartels and runners as well as larger transnational trafficking. "So we really were trying to get an awareness out there," the presenter said, urging expanded recovery and mental-health services.
Board members and the presenter noted the region's highway network — the intersection of I-80 and I-35 in the area — increases vulnerability to drug trafficking. The presenter offered local trainings and said a training on understanding addiction and recovery is scheduled for May 19 at Full Circle Recovery Center in Council Bluffs. The board approved the proclamation by roll call vote.
Action: the board approved the proclamation designating May 2025 as Methamphetamine Prevention Month; Heartland Family Service asked to coordinate outreach and training with county agencies.
