NEW CZAR HAS INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN DRUG FIGHT

For more than 25 years, Iowa native Bruce Upchurch has traveled from Omaha
to India, investigating and breaking up major drug cartels.

On Wednesday, he accepted a new assignment: leading Iowa's fight against
methamphetamine.

Upchurch, a Mason City native, will become Iowa's drug czar, overseeing the
office of the Governor's Alliance on Substance Abuse. The veteran drug
agent is set to start within two months, Gov. Tom Vilsack announced Wednesday.

Upchurch will be paid $73,000 a year.

Upchurch returns to Iowa from Yangoon, Myanmar (formerly Burma) where he
managed the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's efforts to eradicate
heroin and meth. He previously worked in New Delhi, India, and other U.S.
cities.

"He has excellent knowledge and experience in building relationships
between government and communities in working toward a common goal -
safeguarding our children against this deadly drug," Vilsack said.

Vilsack also announced Wednesday that the drug czar will work for the
Department of Public Safety, a move that saves $100,000, he said.
Previously, the drug czar reported to the governor.

Charles Larson, Iowa's former drug czar and current chairman of the Parole
Board, played a key role in recruiting Upchurch. Larson and state Rep.
Chuck Larson, R-Cedar Rapids, met with Upchurch to discuss Iowa's meth
problem during a recent trip to Myanmar.

Larson said he forwarded Upchurch's name to Vilsack's office last week.

"You need someone who has a broad range of experience," Larson said. "It's
a phenomenal opportunity for us to have Bruce Upchurch come home."