South Iowa News

U.S. Representative Zach Nunn organized a community forum in Atlantic, Iowa, to discuss strategies for addressing the opioid crisis affecting rural areas of the state. The session aimed to share best practices and explore new approaches to tackle this pressing issue.

"Too many Iowans know a family member or friend who is dealing with an addiction to opioids. We can and must do more to save lives from overdoses," stated Rep. Nunn. "Today’s discussion provided valuable insights into the tools communities need to address this crisis. I’m grateful to the members of law enforcement, medical professionals, and community leaders who joined us today to share best practices to combat this epidemic. I look forward to taking what we learned today to Congress as we develop commonsense solutions to address this ongoing crisis."

The opioid crisis has resulted in over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021 due primarily to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Fentanyl poisoning has become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. In response, the FDA approved over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray in 2023, aiming to provide broader access to lifesaving treatment.

Rep. Nunn has actively engaged with the community through numerous forums involving law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and concerned citizens about the growing impact of opioid addiction. Following these discussions, he introduced the Communities of Recovery Reauthorization Act supporting those battling addiction in Iowa; it passed the House on December 13, 2023. Additionally, he proposed bipartisan legislation in November 2023 focused on increasing naloxone accessibility.

The event saw participation from over fifty Cass County residents and featured panelists such as Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue, Decatur County Sheriff Chris Lane, representatives from the Office of the Iowa Attorney General, Cass County Chief Medical Director Elaine Barry, Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, and Deric Kidd—a father who lost his son due to fentanyl.