Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
CRUSH OF EASTERN IOWA
CRUSH. The death of David Lepsch on April 11, 2016 from a heroin overdose led to the creation of CRUSH of Eastern Iowa, an anti-heroin organization. (1)
CRUSH was an acronym for Community Resources United to Stop Heroin. A stated goal was the open a detoxification center for addicts in Dubuque. A second goal was to develop a team of CRUSH representatives that could go to local hospitals to assist those seeking help for opioid abuse. The Dubuque Drug Task Force reported sixteen reported overdoses in 2016 with all but one occurring since March 1. Five resulted in death. (2)
On August 31, 2016, the International Overdose Awareness Day, an overdose awareness vigil was scheduled for WASHINGTON PARK. Speakers were to include recovering addicts, family members, and friends of addicts. Local organizations involved with substance-abuse prevention and recovery would have information available.
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Source:
1. Yager, Alicia. "Vigil to Remember OD Victims, Addicts," Telegraph Herald, August 30, 2016, p. 1A
2. Yager, Alicia. "Group: CRUSH Heroin Epidemic," Telegraph Herald, April 30, 2016, p. 1