Rural Project Examples Addressing Substance use and misuse

Staggered Sentencing for Repeat Drunk Driving Offenders
Updated/reviewed August 2022

Need: To reduce the incidences of repeat drunk driving.
Intervention: Repeat DWI (driving while intoxicated) offenders were given a staggered sentence, allowing them to serve their sentence in segments of time, typically separated by several months to a year. The offender was able to file a motion to request a waiver for the remaining sentence period(s), if able to show that he/she maintained sobriety.
Results: The incidence of recidivism, or crime relapse, has been reduced among offenders given staggered sentences, by comparison to offenders given traditional DWI sentences. The program has also reduced the average cost of jail time that otherwise would have been served from a full sentence.

Seneca Strong's Certified Addiction Recovery Coaches
Updated/reviewed July 2022

Need: Like many Native American populations, the Seneca Nation of Indians has experienced disproportionate rates of opioid, alcohol, and substance misuse.
Intervention: The Seneca Nation Government and Executives founded Seneca Strong, a cultural recovery peer advocate program, with the goal of reducing substance misuse across the Nation.
Results: Seneca Strong has since grown in personnel and capacity to meet the needs of the Allegany and Cattaraugus territories of the Seneca Nation.

Mobile Health Units for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Updated/reviewed April 2022

Need: To bring medication-assisted treatment to rural and underserved areas in Colorado.
Intervention: Six mobile health units travel to 32 counties and offer services like telehealth sessions, counseling, naloxone, and referrals to wraparound services.
Results: The units traveled more than 100,000 miles from January 2020 to January 2021.

Spit It Out-West Virginia
Updated/reviewed January 2022

Need: In the years prior to 2008, McDowell County, West Virginia, had high rates of tobacco use.
Intervention: The Spit It Out-West Virginia program (2008-2010) was created to increase access to tobacco cessation and prevention resources.
Results: Hundreds of people were provided with tobacco cessation efforts, 5 workplaces became tobacco free, and tobacco control efforts continue today.

Community Connections, Inc. Rural Health Opioid Program
Updated/reviewed December 2021

Need: To reduce deaths due to opioid overdose in rural southeast West Virginia.
Intervention: The Community Connections, Inc. Rural Health Opioid Program trained and certified first responders, healthcare staff, and laypeople in naloxone administration.
Results: From October 2018 to September 2021, the program provided direct education to 638 individuals, trained 821 providers, and distributed 4,023 Narcan kits.

Project VISION
Updated/reviewed December 2021

Need: To reduce opioid use and increase quality of life in Rutland, Vermont.
Intervention: Project VISION works to reduce opioid use through community engagement.
Results: Since 2012, Project VISION has collected and disposed of 550 pounds of unused medications, reduced thefts by over 32%, and had a 50% improvement on a neighborhood quality of life survey.

Nictotine Use Prevention and Control (NUPAC) Program
Updated/reviewed October 2021

Need: To foster relationships with indigenous people in New Mexico to determine culturally appropriate practices in reducing nicotine addiction.
Intervention: NUPAC provides outreach, community programs, and cessation services.
Results: In fiscal year 2020, 1,938 QUIT NOW and DEJELO YA quit line enrollees stopped using tobacco, and over 4,520 tobacco users made progress on their path to quitting.

New Horizons Substance Use Recovery Network
Updated/reviewed August 2021

Need: In northern Michigan, a need for an integrated approach to deliver medication-assisted treatment for established patients of Federally Qualified Health Centers with opioid use disorder.
Intervention: Collaboration between one FQHC across 3 sites, a local waivered prescriber group, and a behavioral health organization created an integrated treatment approach for opioid use disorder.
Results: Increased access to medication-assisted treatment and comprehensive substance use disorder services leading to increased retention in treatment and increased engagement in stable recovery from opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Pathways Vermont Housing First Program
Updated/reviewed April 2021

Need: Ending a local Vermont population's homelessness experience.
Intervention: In 2010, Pathways Vermont implemented a first-of-its-kind, rural-focused Housing First program in order to provide housing and support services to those with mental health and substance use conditions experiencing homelessness.
Results: Since its initial start-up, Pathways Vermont has assisted over 560 Vermonters — about 70% from rural areas — experiencing homelessness using the Housing First model. The organization has collaborated with the state mental health department, corrections department, local healthcare systems and providers, and other organizations to end homelessness. In addition, programmatic work has expanded to reach other local populations, including veterans and at-risk families.

On the Move! Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment & Education (Operation UNITE)
Updated/reviewed February 2021

Need: To decrease illicit drug and alcohol use in the Central Appalachian region of Kentucky, where many schools had no type of prevention curriculum.
Intervention: Using engaging simulations and presentations, the project delivers substance use prevention education to middle school and high school students.
Results: Post-test surveys show that thousands of students are reached through the "On the Move!" project and gain positive knowledge on the dangers of substance use.

Rural Project Examples: Substance use and misuse