Iowa Community Pharmacies Join Statewide Youth Opioid Prevention Campaign
October 15, 2026
OneroRx pharmacies, including Medicap Pharmacy and Community Pharmacy, will help spread YSS’s
“Before It Becomes More” prevention message in communities across Iow
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (Oct. 15, 2026) — OneroRx pharmacy locations across Iowa are supporting
“Before It Becomes More,” a statewide opioid prevention and awareness campaign from YSS that gives
Iowans the information and resources to recognize warning signs, start conversations and help prevent
substance misuse before it escalates.
Recognizing substance misuse in young Iowans means distinguishing typical adolescent behavior from
genuine warning signs. According to YSS, 1 in 6 people will struggle with substance use, and 90 percent
of those who do begin using as teenagers — making early conversations and early support critical to long-term outcomes.
“Community pharmacies have always been about more than filling prescriptions. We are a trusted and
accessible healthcare resource for the people we serve,” said Joseph Dunham II, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of OneroRx. “Supporting efforts like ‘Before It Becomes More’ gives us another
opportunity to help educate our communities, encourage important conversations and connect people with
resources that make a difference.”
The initiative focuses on three key areas: preventing opioid misuse through education and awareness,
encouraging early intervention and support for those at risk, and reducing stigma surrounding addiction
and recovery.
As community health care providers, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to help connect patients and
families with reliable health information and resources. Participating OneroRx locations will share
campaign materials and prevention resources with patients at the pharmacy counter.
The campaign comes as opioid and fentanyl misuse continue to affect families and communities
throughout Iowa. Iowa opioid-related deaths have declined in recent years, according to the Iowa
Department of Health and Human Services, but prevention and early intervention remain central to
reversing the epidemic.
“Our teammates live and work in the communities they serve,” added Aaron Blass, YSS Chief Growth
Officer. “When an issue affects Iowa families, we want them to be part of the effort to educate, raise
awareness and help our neighbors know where to turn for support.”
OneroRx encourages Iowans to learn the warning signs of opioid misuse and to become familiar with the
prevention resources available in their communities.
To learn more about the “Before It Becomes More” campaign and access prevention resources, visit the
YSS campaign website: https://yss.org/before-it-becomes-more/