Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley was in Cedar Rapids on Thursday at the federal courthouse for a field hearing of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. Witnesses included experts from the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Iowa Alliance of Coalitions for Change and CRUSH (Community Resources United to Stop Heroin) of Iowa.

“We have tremendous problems with opioids generally, but an increasing problem because of fentanyl,” the Iowa Republican said. “I think the problem is worse in Eastern Iowa than in other parts of the state.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley answers questions at a Thursday field hearing of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. The Iowa Republican heard testimony relating to the needs of local organizations and the status of drug policy and its implementation in Iowa. The hearing was at the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley presides at a Thursday field hearing in Cedar Rapids of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. “We have tremendous problems with opioids generally, but an increasing problem because of fentanyl,” the Iowa Republican said. “I think the problem is worse in Eastern Iowa than in other parts of the state.” The hearing was held at the federal courthouse. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, answers questions at a Thursday field hearing in Cedar Rapids on drug abuse in Iowa. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, enters a federal courtroom in Cedar Rapids for a Thursday field hearing of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. Witnesses included experts from the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Iowa Alliance of Coalitions for Change and CRUSH (Community Resources United to Stop Heroin) of Iowa. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, listens Thursday at a field hearing of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. The hearing, on drug abuse in Iowa, was held at the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Dale Woolery, director of the Iowa Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy, listens to testimony at a Thursday field hearing in Cedar Rapids of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Jeffrey B. Stamm (center), executive director of Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, based in Kansas City, Mo., listens at a Thursday field hearing of the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, convened the hearing at the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)