Iowans now have easier access to a drug that can reverse a heroin or opioid overdose and prevent it from being fatal. Earlier this year, state lawmakers approved a bill that allowed family members or friends to possess and administer naloxone, but under that bill they couldn’t buy it. Kevin Gabbert at the Iowa Department of Public Health says that was a big gap in the legislation.

Gabbert says, “Where it fell short, it didn’t identify how those persons in a position to assist could access naloxone.” Before adjourning, lawmakers agreed to let any person close to a drug addict get a prescription for the antidote and keep it on hand. Parents of addicts who died of drug overdoses had pushed for the change. The new law took effect on July 1st and is a game-changer for Iowans who are worried about a loved one who’s also an addict.

Gabbert says, “A family member or friend could go to a physician and obtain a prescription because they were concerned or they knew an individual who had a heroin or opioid dependency.” The new law also extends access to naloxone for more emergency medical personnel. This fall, pharmacies should be able to keep standing orders for naloxone so it can be purchased without an additional visit to the doctor.

The legislation includes legal protections for those who administer the drug to reverse the effects of an overdose.

(Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) says $1.7-million in grant funding is being provided for cultural development projects in five, newly designated, and two current, Iowa Great Places communities. The announcement follows the DCA’s approval of an Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board recommendation to designate and award funding to the communities. Among them, is Malvern.

The Malvern Area Betterment Association is receiving $292,900 to strengthen community development initiatives in the City of Malvern, through downtown streetscaping and public art. Other cities receiving DCA grant funds are: Bondurant; Dubuque; Forest City, and Maquoketa.

Madison County and the City of Manning, two current Iowa Great Places, are receiving a total of $209,400. The Madison County Chamber of Commerce receives $41,500 to increase accessibility to the John Wayne Birthplace, through site development, landscaping and property restoration. The City of Manning receives $167,900, to enhance community revitalization initiatives, by expanding Trestle Park, and developing the Trestle Trail.

Created in 2005, the Iowa Great Places program has awarded nearly $17 million to 41 designated Iowa Great Places. The Iowa Great Places program is administered by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, visit www.iowaculture.gov or call 515-281-5111.

Two Union County residents were arrested Thursday evening on drug-related warrants. 28-year old’s Clay Allen Brammer and Tara Lynn Mickael, both of Arispe, were taken into custody at around 7:30-p.m. on warrants issued out of Union County.  Brammer was arrested a warrant for three felony counts of Controlled Substance Violation. Mickael was arrested on a warrant for a single felony charge for Controlled Substance Violation.

Brammer was being held in the Union County Jail, while Mickael was transported to the Ringgold County Jail. Their bonds were set at $50,000 each.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A popular Des Moines music festival plans to check all bags as part of increased security at the event. The Des Moines Register reports  suggestions for heightened security at the 80/35 music festival started last summer, when the event had overflowing crowds. Festival organizer Amedeo Rossi says bags checks will be required at the six entry points throughout the festival grounds for people who want to enter the event.

Bag checks were previously only conducted when entering the paid main stage area of the festival. Attendees were allowed to roam throughout the free areas of the event without being checked. Rossi says some fencing will be used around the grounds to ensure that bags are checked.