Iowa can lead the way by investing in comprehensive, statewide education campaigns that focus on the realities of substance use disorder, highlighting that it is a health issue, not a moral failing.
Many Iowa families struggle with various forms of substance use disorders. However, mothers navigating these complex challenges face greater obstacles. Overdose, which is now among the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive support and intervention to prevent such tragedies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System, there were 384 overdose deaths in Iowa in 2022, the most recent year data is available. In 85% of those cases, at least one potential opportunity for intervention was reported -- meaning that 326 families potentially could have been spared the loss of a loved one. Only 10.2% of those who died had ever received substance use treatment, and just 2.6% were in treatment at the time of their death.
This data is alarming.
To change this trajectory, Iowa needs a patient-centered, community-driven approach that dismantles barriers, enhances access to critical resources, and, most importantly, reduces stigma and discrimination -- especially for mothers.
To begin solving this problem, Iowa must first begin to tackle the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with substance use disorders by combating misinformation, promoting community-based education, and amplifying the stories of those with lived experience.
Iowa can lead the way by promoting public education that humanizes individuals struggling with addiction. No one benefits when mothers are demonized for their struggles; instead, the conversation must focus on recovery, support, and family unity. By creating supportive communities that replace judgment with empathy, we can reduce the shame that often prevents women from seeking help. We must cultivate supportive spaces where mothers feel empowered to recover without the constant fear of losing their parental rights, criminalization, and judgement.
Iowa can lead the way by taking a significant step in making treatment accessible with the provision of on-site child care. When mothers feel confident that their children are cared for in a supportive environment, they are more likely to engage in the care they need. Iowa should establish substance use disorder agencies that not only provide treatment, but also offer childcare and parental support services. Such services should be tailored to fit the unique needs of mothers in recovery, helping them stay connected with their children while receiving the necessary care.
Iowa can lead the way by investing in comprehensive, statewide education campaigns that focus on the realities of substance use disorder, highlighting that it is a health issue, not a moral failing. Community action groups, bolstered by these campaigns, can play a pivotal role in fostering understanding and advocating for systemic change while creating an informed public that stands in solidarity with families affected by substance use disorder.
Finally, Iowa can lead the way by creating an advocacy board to establish measurable, meaningful outcomes. Financial backing for efforts to dismantle stigma, shift the narrative around substance use, and implement supportive policies is available from the state's opioid settlement dollars, which are projected to total more than $174 million over the next 18 years. Due to state policies and failed bills, these funds remain largely unspent.
Treatment and support services for families affected by substance use disorders cannot be a short-term investment. Iowa must commit to secure, long-term funding for these programs. Too often, vital services are undercut by budget shortfalls, leaving vulnerable families in the lurch. Prioritizing funding for community-based services that focus on prevention, harm reduction, and recovery will ensure that families are not abandoned midway through their journey to stability.
By investing in these efforts, Iowa can become a place where every mother and family has the opportunity to achieve the state's motto: freedom to flourish.