Methamphetamine is the drug of choice in Webster County, according to information from Mickie Shubin, of Community & Family Resources.

Speaking about plans to combat the issue locally, Shubin, who is the Strategic Initiatives to Prevent Drug Overdoses coordinator and a certified prevention specialist, told the Webster County Board of Health that efforts are being made to identify ways to better help that population overcome addiction.

In 2020, the largest age group of clients that used meth included those between ages 31 and 40, the majority of whom were men. Of those who came back for treatment after a relapse, 57% were men.

With plans to list the group as a “disparate population,” she said CFR will soon form target strategies in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Public Health.

In comparison to other Iowa counties with similar population sizes, Webster County has by far the highest rate of treatment admissions for amphetamines – more than double the rate of some other counties.

In 2020, Webster County had 71 meth treatment admissions per 10,000 people in the population. Other counties cited Thursday had much lower numbers:

• Lee County, 24 per 10,000

• Marion County, 24 per 10,000

• Des Moines County, 31 per 10,000

• Jasper County, 43 per 10,000

Arrest data gathered from the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Dayton Police Department and Gowrie Police Department showed that those in possession of meth accounted for a 52% of the 143 substance related arrests made in 2020.

“That’s pretty high,” Shubin said.

Similarly, meth was the leading drug abused by parents in families referred to the Department of Human Services. Out of 416 cases cited, about 42% (169) involved meth abuse. The next highest substances were marijuana, with 131 cases, and alcohol, with 48 cases.

“As you can see, we have a major problem with parents that are getting involved with substances and then having DHS involved,” the coordinator said. “We’re looking at strategies to help that population as well.”