Media Advisory: Tackling the Opioid & Heroin Epidemic

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative, Mason City Police Department, Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, and Mason City Youth Task Force has scheduled a community event on September 21^st to discuss the heroin epidemic making its way into Eastern Iowa and beyond.  It is estimated that there are over 100 overdoses deaths each day, with more than three out of five overdose deaths involving opioids.  The greater Mason City area and surrounding communities are not immune to this threat. 

Viewed as a national challenge requiring a community solution, the meeting will bring the community together to exchange information and to discuss strategies to address the epidemic plaguing our state.  A special showing of the FBI and DEA documentary, Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict, will be shown.  This 49-minute film presents a compilation of heart-wrenching first-person accounts by addicts and family members of addicts about their experiences.  A “Call to Action” will be introduced to the community by the Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative. Visit: www.faceboook.com/EasternIowaHeroinInitiative, to learn more.

A representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be present. The event is open to the public.

Event Details

When: Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Where: The Music Man Square, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA 50401

Time: Begins at 6:00 p.m., and ends at 8:00 p.m.

Press wishing to attend should contact AUSA Steve Young at 319-731-4037, or by emailing him at steve.young@usdoj.gov.