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New 24-Hour Substance Abuse Help Line
to Serve Iowans

The Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center is expanding services to provide over-the-phone assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Iowans can get help by calling the center’s new toll-free help line at 1.866.242.4111. The center also offers help on line, at its new Internet web address: www.drugfreeinfo.org.

"It is our goal that every Iowan will keep our new 24-hour Help Line number handy, because you never know when you will need information or help with a substance abuse issue," according to Tressa Youngbear, Project Manager of the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center. The new Help Line will be promoted in public service media messages, educational posters and bulletins to medical professionals.

Help Line enhancements to the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center are being funded through $15,000 in grants from the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy.

"Whether it’s a parent who wants to know how to talk with their child about drugs, a person in need of treatment for an addiction, or someone facing an immediate crisis, everyone in Iowa now can call one phone number for timely assistance," said Bruce Upchurch, Director of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy.

"Iowans don’t have to feel alone when it comes to dealing with substance abuse," said Janet Zwick, Director of the Division of Health Promotion, Prevention and Addictive Behaviors in the Iowa Department of Public Health. "The Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center will either provide you with what you need, or put you in contact with the appropriate service provider in your community."

The Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center is the state’s clearinghouse for educational materials available to parents, teachers, children and others. The center’s Help Line crisis counseling will be provided by the Foundation 2 Crisis Center. Foundation 2 is certified by the American Association of Suicidology.

Substance abuse awareness is the target of a holiday season Celebrate With Care campaign, developed by the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center. This campaign for adults encourages responsible drinking and hosting during the holiday season. Anyone wanting free Celebrate With Care materials or additional Help Line posters can call the substance abuse Help Line at 1.866.242.4111.

The Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center has been in operation since 1973, and is supported with state and federal funds. The center serves residents around the state from its location in the Cedar Rapids Public Library.

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