Training & Additional Resources

In February of 1997, Iowa became one of the five Midwest states (Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota) to form the new methamphetamine specific Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). In 1999, North Dakota became the sixth state to join the Midwest HIDTA which now has a total budget of $11.9 million. Iowa receives approximately $1.2 million of the $11.9 million for its enforcement initiative. HIDTA funding has allowed the Division of Narcotics Enforcement to increase staff to five Special Agents, two word processors, and the purchase of one clandestine laboratory emergency response vehicle. The Division of Criminal Investigation also receiving funding for the purchase of new laboratory equipment, which was needed to keep pace with the large number of methamphetamine cases being submitted to the State Laboratory.

The Midwest HIDTA promotes a comprehensive, cooperative strategy by law enforcement at the Federal, State, and Local level to meet the problem of methamphetamine head on.

The following agencies were recipients of the HIDTA funds for the hiring of additional manpower and overtime compensation:

United States Attorney's Office - Des Moines and Cedar Rapids

Department of Public Safety Intelligence

Division of Criminal Investigation's crime laboratory

Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office

Des Moines Police Department

Polk County Sheriff's Office

Sioux City Police Department

Federal Drug Enforcement Administration

Marshall County Sheriff's Office

Muscatine County Sheriff's Office

Muscatine Police Department

Tri-State Task Force

Since the HIDTA concept was initiated by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in 1988, 31 regional designations, including the Midwest HIDTA, have been made. The designations recognize the regions as having the most critical drug trafficking problems that adversely impact the nation as a whole, and then attempt to focus anti drug resources in a coordinated fashion.

Iowa's HIDTA enforcement initiative is to measurably reduce the amount of methamphetamine distributed in the state of Iowa by a coordinated effort against importation and distribution organizations, as well as against manufacturers of methamphetamine within the state. Close coordination will be undertaken with other Midwest HIDTA states and appropriate source area agencies to assure that investigations are developed to target and dismantle source organizations at the highest level wherever they are located.

The Midwest HIDTA's Board of Directors is composed of municipal, state, and federal representatives from each of the five states and meetings are held approximately every two months. Director of the Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Kevin Frampton, currently serves as Chair of the Fiscal Planning Committee and Vice Chair on the Midwest HIDTA Executive Board.

Midwest HIDTA

Midwest Counterdrug Training Center (MCTC) is one of five Department of Defense funded Counterdrug training schools. MCTC is administered by the Iowa National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. Since beginning operations in 2003, MCTC has trained over 150,000 local, tribal, state, and federal law enforcement officers, military members and prevention and treatment professionals across the United States. MCTC trains local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, as well as prevention, and treatment professionals with an emphasis on small and rural agencies. MCTC maintains a lean staff and uses federal contracting procedures while providing the highest quality of training.

Midwest Counterdrug Training Center - MCTC

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) works to reduce drug use and its consequences by leading and coordinating the development, implementation, and assessment of U.S. drug policy. 

Office of National Drug Control Policy - ONDCP

The Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy is the only agency that exists with a central mandate to coordinate and monitor all programs affecting a particular issue in the state. Under Chapter 80E, ONDCP, in support of the Iowa Drug Policy Coordinator, performs the role of coordinating and monitoring all programs involved with drug enforcement and substance abuse treatment and prevention.  The Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy is a bureau of the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy

The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction or alcoholism, you know how difficult it can be to stop the addiction cycle even with the best intentions. When any individual is caught up in the cycle of addiction, it can seem hopeless and, left untreated, can destroy the person and their family to the core. With the help of the right alcohol and drug rehab program many can recover from drug addiction and alcoholism. There are several different types of drug and alcohol rehab programs, and individuals should choose the most beneficial option based on their unique circumstances. Don't continue to suffer needlessly. Get the help you need to change your life.

The journey to recovery from drug addiction and/or alcoholism can be paved with ups and downs. As such, you need to commit your life to kick the habit that caused so much pain to your life and the lives of your family, friends and more. The hard work that will be required might seem overwhelming initially. However, with the right help and guidance, a full long-term recovery is more than possible.

Drug Rehabilitation

The Iowa Narcotics Officers Association (INOA) was formed in 2004 by numerous law enforcement officers throughout the State of Iowa. In 2005, the INOA hosted its inaugural training conference in Johnston, Iowa. To date the association is made up of over 460 members ranging from officers, agents, intelligence analysts, prosecutors and others who work in law enforcement career fields. The Association recognizes that narcotics, drugs, and other addictive substances are, and have been, one of the greatest internal threats to the citizens of the United States, the State of Iowa, and each of our communities. The purpose of the Iowa Narcotics Officers' Association is to provide education and training and to facilitate the establishment and growth of partnerships and communication between members.

Iowa Narcotics Officers Association - INOA

The Clandestine Laboratory Investigators Association, often referred to as CLIA, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to provide training, technical support, legislation assistance and expert testimony to all law enforcement, prosecutors and emergency service personnel.All training provided by CLIA is in compliance with Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal OSHA) regulations. Instructors are experts in their fields

Clandestine Laboratory Investigators Association

D.A.R.E. or Drug Abuse Resistance Education envisions a world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance use, and other dangerous behaviors.

D.A.R.E.

The Iowa Alliance for Drug Endangered Children reflects an advocacy community in Iowa driven by the need to stand up for Iowa children endangered by their parents or caregivers' illicit drug use. The Iowa DEC community, like similar collaborative efforts in other states, is a committed group of professionals from multiple disciplines dedicated to finding solutions to the problems children face as the result of living with substance-abusing parents, and to build a better world for these children.

Drug Endangered Children