Kathy Stone
Division Director
Lucas State Ofc. Bldg
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA
50319-0075
(515) 281-4417
The Iowa Department of Substance abuse was created on January 1, 1978, through a merger of the Division of Alcoholism (Department of Public Health) and the Iowa Drug Abuse Authority. The 66th General Assembly first mandated this merger in 1976. The department became a division of the new Iowa Department of Public Health on July 1, 1986, as a result of state government reorganization.
The Division of Behavioral Health handles a variety of programs under two bureaus:
The Bureau of Administration, Regulation & Licensure regulates all substance abuse treatment programs and administers some federal-funds for treatment.
The Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment provides technical assistance to individuals, groups, and contracted agencies and organizations; coordinates and collaborates with multiple state agencies and organizations for assessment, planning, and implementation of statewide prevention initiatives; and coordinates, trains, and monitors funding to local community-based organizations for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention services.
In addition to the two bureaus, the division is responsible for gambling treatment and prevention, injury and violence prevention, disability and health program, traumatic brain injury prevention, Anatomical Gift Public Awareness and Transplantation Fund, and the Substitute Medical Decision-Making Board.
The division is also responsible for the abuse education review panel. This panel reviews and approves child and dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter curricula. The approved curricula meet continuing education requirements of mandatory reporters.
