Steps of Hope Iowa

06/15/2026

Iowa HHS, Bureau of Health stats, as of May 13th, 2026.

06/06/2026

Nation Naloxone Day

NALOXONE SAVES LIVES

Primary objective...

Saving lives: know how to recognize opioid overdoses and safely administer naloxone.

Extreme drowsiness or inability to wake up

Confusion or disorientation

Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing

Pale, clammy, or bluish skin (especially lips and fingertips)

Pinpoint pupils (particularly in opioid overdoses)

Vomiting or choking

Seizures or convulsions

Weak or irregular heartbeat

Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness

Reducing stigma: it is a misconception that carrying naloxone encourages drug use, instead framing it as a vital safety tool like a seatbelt or a fire extinguisher.

06/01/2026

Shame is loud.
Love is silent.
Sometimes shame sounds a lot like not caring.

Thank you Moms for All Paths to Recovery (MAP)

What if what looks like apathy is actually shame?

05/17/2026

"Nobody should have to bury their child, especially when it's all preventable. This is all preventable," said Ann Breeding, the founder of Steps of Hope. FULL STORY⬇️

05/16/2026

One of the most important points here is that polysubstance use is increasingly the norm, not the exception. Many overdoses today involve combinations of substances, whether intentionally used together or unknowingly mixed within an unpredictable drug supply.

Our systems still tend to separate people into categories into opioid users, stimulant users, alcohol users, benzodiazepine users. But real life is often far more complicated than that.
This changing landscape is one reason harm reduction, drug checking, flexible treatment models, and individualized care matter so much right now.

We cannot keep responding to a rapidly evolving drug supply with outdated, one size fits most approaches.

Copied from our friends at Moms for All Paths to Recovery (MAP).

Most people do not use one drug, but many. SUDs often involve different substances, but the underlying problem is really one disease with multiple manifestations.

05/13/2026

05/07/2026

‼️There have been TWENTY overdoses in the metro reported by DMFD, 3 of which were fatal and occurred last week. ‼️
Most of the 20 happened in the past two weeks. It's not just opioids - alcohol and stimulants are also involved.
Community and connection are so important!!! Please be present for people and listen. These are incredible protective factors. Please see comments on the original DMPD post that we are sharing for locations to get naloxone for free, REACH, and the Life Services Center.

While more naloxone may be needed to reverse overdoses that involve strong opioids, it is still the best way to respond to an opioid overdose.

It's a good idea to enact practices to reduce overdose risk.
Harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/opioid-od-risks-prevention/

Every life is worth saving!!

The Des Moines Police Department is cautioning the community as overdose deaths surge in April.

Since the beginning of the year, detectives with our Vice & Narcotics Control Section have responded to nine overdose deaths; seven occurring since the beginning of April.

In all of 2025, detectives investigated 15 overdose deaths.

As detectives continue to investigate the source(s), and they await complete toxicology reports, the preliminary investigations indicate that these are opioid-related overdoses.

If you are aware of an overdose happening, CALL 911.
Immediate action is essential to survival.

Iowa's Good Samaritan law protects people from prosecution for certain charges if they call 911 to report an overdose.

Resources are available today! The Polk County Health Department Harm Reduction strategy includes access to free Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose, and Des Moines Fire Department, Polk County and Full Circle Recovery are partnering to provide the Rapid Engagement and Community Health (REACH) Program to treat, serve, and support people with opioid use disorder throughout Polk county. For more info on the REACH program, contact the DMFD team at 515-850-9737 or [email protected].

If you have any information regarding the illegal distribution of these deadly drugs, please call 515-237-1594. You may also submit tips using the “Submit A Tip” function on the DMPD mobile app, or online at www.crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com. You may remain anonymous.

05/07/2026

Boone County - Madrid, Boone and Ogden - is all about saving lives!

Stop by any of the box locations and grab yourself some free Naloxone. Everyone should carry it, in case of an emergency. Barrier free. No questions asked. Thank you Boone County for keeping the communities safe.