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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

Association of Methamphetamine and Opioid Use With Nonfatal Overdose in Rural Communities
Study examining the incidence of nonfatal overdoses for people using methamphetamine and opioids alone and together, drawing data from National Rural Opioid Initiative surveys of people who use drugs in rural areas of 10 states. Presents findings related to prevalence of methamphetamine and opioid use, rates of use by race and ethnicity, and implications of the findings for harm reduction programs and treatment programs.
Author(s): P. Todd Korthuis, Ryan R. Cook, Canyon A. Foot, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(8), e2226544
Date: 08/2022
Type: Document
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Cumulative Barriers to Retention in Methadone Treatment Among Adults From Rural and Small Urban Communities
Highlights a study on the barriers to retention in methadone treatment for opioid use disorder in rural and small urban communities. Breaks down data by participant characteristics and treatment barriers, such as housing instability, lack of transportation, and physical and mental health needs, among others.
Author(s): Emily Pasman, Rachel Kollin, Michael Broman, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 17, 35
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
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The Rural Opioid Initiative Consortium Description: Providing Evidence to Understand the Fourth Wave of the Opioid Crisis
Highlights an initiative aimed at developing interventions to address rural opioid use. Collects data from rural areas in 10 states via surveys of people who use drugs and explores overlapping issues, such as other drug use, homelessness, and lack of access to treatment, among others.
Author(s): Richard A. Jenkins, Bridget M. Whitney, Robin M. Nance, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 17, 38
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People who Inject Drugs Accessing Harm Reduction Services in a Rural American State
Results of a study exploring how changes made in Maine during the pandemic affected access to harm reduction services, including basic services such as shelter, syringe service programs, safe drug supply, low barrier buprenorphine treatment, and peer support. Based on interviews with 36 stakeholders comprising people who inject drugs, community partners, and healthcare providers.
Author(s): Kinna Thakarar, Michael Kohut, Rebecca Hutchinson, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 19(80)
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
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Geographic Trends in Opioid Overdoses in the US From 1999 to 2020
Results of a study examining trends in opioid-involved overdose death (OOD) rates in urban and rural counties. Explores OODs due to overprescription of opioids, use of heroin and illicit synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and stimulants in combination with synthetic opioids. Features statistics with breakdowns by 6 levels of population density.
Author(s): Lori Ann Post, Alexander Lundberg, Charles B. Moss, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(7)
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
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Fighting Fentanyl: The Federal Response to a Growing Crisis
Presents the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing on the government's response to the fentanyl crisis. Includes testimonies from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy regarding current efforts to address the expanding use of fentanyl across the U.S.
Additional links: Carole Johnson Testimony, Christopher Jones Testimony, Kemp Chester Testimony, Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon Testimony
Date: 07/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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Responding to a Surge in Overdose Deaths: Perspectives From US Syringe Services Programs
Highlights a study on the perspectives of syringe service program (SSP) leadership and staff regarding overdose deaths in the US. Bases conclusions on interviews done from February to March of 2021 and breaks down participant data by geographic region, distribution approach, and rurality, among others factors.
Author(s): Madeline C. Frost, Elizabeth J. Austin, Maria A. Corcorran, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 19, 79
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
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UVM CORA Community Rounds: Strategies for Distributing Naloxone to Rural Communities
Webinar recording discusses rural opioid overdoses and methods for distributing naloxone to prevent overdoses. Explores the use of data, technology, and working with emergency services partners to deliver naloxone to people at risk of overdosing, among other factors.
Additional links: Webinar Slides
Author(s): Geoff Capraro, Brooke A. Lawrence
Date: 07/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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Wiping Away the Tears: Addressing Increasing Death in Rural America
Examines rural mortality trends and discusses the impact of the opioid epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, as well as rural maternal and infant mortality. Describes federally-funded efforts to address rural disparities.
Author(s): Whitney Zahnd
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Introduction to Improving Telehealth and Virtual Care for Pain Management and Opioid/ Substance Use Disorder
Presents the proceedings of a meeting discussing the use of telehealth and virtual care to treat substance use disorder (SUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and to monitor pain management. Highlights the effect the COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth use, regulation, and reimbursement. Features considerations for rural communities.
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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