Problem Gambling is a Public Health Concern in Iowa
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Problem Gambling is a Public Health Concern in Iowa

A lot of us may not realize that problem gambling is a public health concern that continues to rise in Iowa. We may not realize that someone we love and care about may be struggling with it.  Problem gambling is often called the“hidden addiction” because it is so easily disguised from family and friends…until it…

New Prevention Coordinator for Delaware County
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New Prevention Coordinator for Delaware County

My name is Kayla Kraemer and I am the new Prevention Coordinator for Delaware County. I grew up in the Elkader area, and for the past 2 years, I have had the privilege of calling Strawberry Point my home. Most of my friends and family still live in the area, so I am blessed to…

Youth Groups Swing into Gear as School Year Begins
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Youth Groups Swing into Gear as School Year Begins

This fall, many high school youth groups held their first meeting to discuss their area of focus and plans for the school year. These youth leaders aim to educate on the harm surrounding substance use and provide support to peers by raising awareness for resources available. Each youth group is linked to a statewide movement,…

Alcohol Server Training
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Alcohol Server Training

The Prevention Team offers trainings for any businesses that sell or serve alcohol, and to any group that may be serving alcohol at an event. This is a skills-based certification led by a Certified Prevention Specialist called, Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS). TIPS is the global leader in education and training for the responsible service,…

Allamakee Prevention Advisory Group
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Allamakee Prevention Advisory Group

The rising concerns over substance misuse, problem gambling, teen pregnancy, and more led a group of concerned citizens and professionals to start meeting to address these difficult topics. Allamakee Prevention Advisory, formed in late 2021, has a mission to “advocate, educate, and provide awareness to positively impact the health and wellness of Allamakee County.” The…

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month
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March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Problem gambling prevention is needed now more than ever. Sports betting is right at our fingertips and Iowans are spending a significant amount of money. According to the Legal Sports Report, Iowa sportsbooks set a new record with $303.3 million in bets in January alone. That pushed the total bets past $3 billion since it…

Resources to Quit Tobacco
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Resources to Quit Tobacco

Due to the wide array of flavored e-liquids, sleek/discrete-looking designs, and youth-oriented advertising vaping has become a concern among our youth population. Over 99% of these products that are on the market contain nicotine. A majority of the ones most popular among youth, such as JUUL’s, often contain 2 or more times the amount of…

September is Recovery Month
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September is Recovery Month

September is Recovery Month! Recovery Month was first proclaimed in 1989 as Treatment Works! This brought recognition and awareness to the work that substance use treatment professionals were doing to support those with a substance use disorder. In 1998 this was expanded to bring recognition to individuals who suffered from substance use disorder along with…

New Prevention Coordinator in Delaware County
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New Prevention Coordinator in Delaware County

My name is Brian and I am the new Prevention Coordinator  Helping Services in Delaware County. I am originally from Waverly, IA and for the past four years I have been calling Manchester, IA home. Some hobbies of mine with my wife and dog (Theo) love doing anything outdoors involving hiking, biking, walking trails, fishing,…

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April Substance Use Events

Helping Services partnered with Luther College Wellness to put together two events in April. The first event on April 7th was the documentary If They Had Known, which is a real life example of a college student who mixed alcohol and a prescription medication and later died. After the screening of the documentary, Jessica Rupp,…