Appanoose County Law Enforcement Countermeasures

Several groups in Appanoose County are working to stop underage alcohol use and driving under the influence (DUI). The Appanoose County Collaboration Council (ACCC) and Sieda Behavioral Health and Treatment Services (BHTS) have partnered with the Iowa State Patrol. To place countermeasures such as alcohol establishment walkthroughs, special DUI patrols, and seat belt enforcement zones.

Road Traffic Accidents

Their focus is to reduce underage drinking and DUIs. Additionally, making the roads a safer place.

The number one cause of death in Iowa for 15 to 24-year-olds is road traffic accidents. Similarly, for Iowans ages 0 to 45 years-old, road traffic accidents are in the top 3rd of causes of deaths.

However, these numbers change daily on the website World Life Expectancy where they track Iowa causes of death by age and gender. On the same site, Appanoose County placed as the 7th highest county in Iowa for accidental deaths. Although, accidental deaths include more than just traffic accidents it is still the primary contributor.

Thankfully, Law enforcement countermeasures are in place to reduce underage alcohol use and decrease the number of impaired drivers on Appanoose County roadways. Officers will enforce a zero tolerance for drivers that choose to drink and drive or fail to buckle up. With the continued work of the ACCC and Sieda BHTS, we hope to give full support to Iowa’s law enforcement officers to make Appanoose County safer.

To sum it up, it is not just the responsibility of law enforcement to keep the community safe. Hence, it is necessary as a community to inform everyone about the dangers of drinking and driving to prevent alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Chuck Russell, Sieda’s BHTS Appanoose County IPFS Coordinator has been working with the ACCC to implement programs, policies, and practices to reduce substance abuse and its related problems. Above all, to strengthen drug resistance skills, self-management, and social skills in youth so they don’t feel a need for or pressured to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Sieda BHTS project is funded by the Iowa Partnership for Success Grant and Iowa Department of Public Health. Through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA).

For more information please contact:

Chuck Russell, MPA, CPS
Appanoose County IPFS Coordinator
Behavioral Health & Treatment Services
Located at the Sieda Appanoose Resource Center, 641-856-8437

Special thank you to the Daily Iowegian for your article. “Local police partner for alcohol enforcement”