Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use
Marijuana Use or Opioid Misuse in the Past Year
Highlights data on marijuana and opioid use between 2022 and 2024. Includes break down of use for adults and adolescents between 12 and 17 by various demographic and geographic factors including 5 levels of urbanization.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Highlights data on marijuana and opioid use between 2022 and 2024. Includes break down of use for adults and adolescents between 12 and 17 by various demographic and geographic factors including 5 levels of urbanization.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Navigating Hepatitis C Care: Knowledge Gaps and Access Barriers Among Young Women Who Inject Drugs in Rural Appalachia
Presents a study on the barriers to hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment for young women who inject drugs (YWID) in rural areas. Aims to identify the factors influencing the accessibility of HCV testing and treatment for YWID in rural Appalachian, Ohio. Bases findings on interviews with 30 YWID aged 18-35 and discusses interpersonal and community barriers to care.
Author(s): Cheyenne R. Wagi, Renee McDowell, Anyssa Wright, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE
Date: 09/2025
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Presents a study on the barriers to hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment for young women who inject drugs (YWID) in rural areas. Aims to identify the factors influencing the accessibility of HCV testing and treatment for YWID in rural Appalachian, Ohio. Bases findings on interviews with 30 YWID aged 18-35 and discusses interpersonal and community barriers to care.
Author(s): Cheyenne R. Wagi, Renee McDowell, Anyssa Wright, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE
Date: 09/2025
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Telemedicine Buprenorphine Access For Incarcerated People: Lessons Learned From Maryland's Rural Jails
Explores the lessons learned form implementing a telemedicine-based buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in rural Maryland jails. Highlights the challenges and opportunities expanding, establishing, and implementing buprenorphine treatment via tele-medicine. Draws conclusions for future interventions.
Author(s): Max Spaderna, Annabelle M. Belcher, Chris Welsh, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs, 44(9), 1131-1137
Date: 09/2025
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Explores the lessons learned form implementing a telemedicine-based buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in rural Maryland jails. Highlights the challenges and opportunities expanding, establishing, and implementing buprenorphine treatment via tele-medicine. Draws conclusions for future interventions.
Author(s): Max Spaderna, Annabelle M. Belcher, Chris Welsh, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs, 44(9), 1131-1137
Date: 09/2025
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Modeling the Impact of Changing Drug Markets and Structural Determinants on HCV and/or HIV Transmission Among People Who Inject Drugs in the United States: A Rural and Urban Comparison
Details a study exploring the impact of changing patterns of drug use in rural and urban areas are affecting the rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID). Compares rates of infection and drug use in San Diego, CA and rural Central and Northern, WI.
Author(s): Natasha K. Martin, Daniela Abramovitz, William H. Eger, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Drug Policy, 143, 104925
Date: 09/2025
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Details a study exploring the impact of changing patterns of drug use in rural and urban areas are affecting the rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID). Compares rates of infection and drug use in San Diego, CA and rural Central and Northern, WI.
Author(s): Natasha K. Martin, Daniela Abramovitz, William H. Eger, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Drug Policy, 143, 104925
Date: 09/2025
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Treatment Initiations and Opioid Overdoses among Recently Incarcerated People after Adoption of the Take-Home Methadone Policy
Explores the effect flexible methadone policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic had on opioid overdoses and treatment initiation and uptake among incarcerated people upon release. Highlights the effect this policy had on rural areas and communities that lack access to opioid treatment.
Author(s): Benjamin A. Barsky, Shapei Yan, Meredith B. Rosenthal
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 274, 112775
Date: 09/2025
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Explores the effect flexible methadone policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic had on opioid overdoses and treatment initiation and uptake among incarcerated people upon release. Highlights the effect this policy had on rural areas and communities that lack access to opioid treatment.
Author(s): Benjamin A. Barsky, Shapei Yan, Meredith B. Rosenthal
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 274, 112775
Date: 09/2025
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Pharmacy Barriers to Receiving Buprenorphine Among Patients Undergoing Telemedicine Addiction Treatment
Presents a study exploring pharmacy-level barriers experienced by patients with opioid use disorder who are receiving treatment via telemedicine. Discusses barriers that lead to missed doses or inaccessible prescriptions. Breaks down data by health and demographic characteristics, such as age, education, and insurance type, among others, and whether the patient lived in a rural or nonrural area.
Author(s): Lauren E. Hendy, Lucas G. Hill, Amanda Olguin, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2527418
Date: 08/2025
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Presents a study exploring pharmacy-level barriers experienced by patients with opioid use disorder who are receiving treatment via telemedicine. Discusses barriers that lead to missed doses or inaccessible prescriptions. Breaks down data by health and demographic characteristics, such as age, education, and insurance type, among others, and whether the patient lived in a rural or nonrural area.
Author(s): Lauren E. Hendy, Lucas G. Hill, Amanda Olguin, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2527418
Date: 08/2025
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Opportunities for Employers to Address the Opioid Epidemic: Results from a National Survey
Surveys 1,010 employees to learn their perspective on the Recovery-Ready Workplace (RRW) framework, a federally created opioid intervention for employers. Evaluates the implementation of the 4 areas addressed by RRW, noting areas for improvement related to Narcan access, stigma, and work arrangements that accommodate treatment.
Author(s): Gillian K. SteelFisher, Brian C. Castrucci, Mary G. Findling, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 3(8)
Date: 08/2025
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Surveys 1,010 employees to learn their perspective on the Recovery-Ready Workplace (RRW) framework, a federally created opioid intervention for employers. Evaluates the implementation of the 4 areas addressed by RRW, noting areas for improvement related to Narcan access, stigma, and work arrangements that accommodate treatment.
Author(s): Gillian K. SteelFisher, Brian C. Castrucci, Mary G. Findling, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 3(8)
Date: 08/2025
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Drug Overdose Deaths in Kentucky, 2019–2024: Are We Back to Pre-COVID-19 Levels?
Examines drug overdose deaths in Kentucky and the impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates. Utilizes 2019-2024 Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics data to analyze overdose mortality rates according to year, demographics, contributing drugs, and metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Aaron P. Smith, Juan Lang, Carmen Canedo, et al.
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 51
Date: 08/2025
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Examines drug overdose deaths in Kentucky and the impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates. Utilizes 2019-2024 Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics data to analyze overdose mortality rates according to year, demographics, contributing drugs, and metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Aaron P. Smith, Juan Lang, Carmen Canedo, et al.
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 51
Date: 08/2025
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Prescribed Medications for Patients with Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Disorder Seen in Rural-Serving Pacific Northwest Primary Care Clinics
Examines the frequency in which patients living in the rural Pacific Northwest with amphetamine-type stimulant use disorder (AT-StUD) received medications for AT-StUD in primary care clinics. Utilizes 2017-2021 electronic health record (EHR) data to analyze patients who have received prescriptions according to demographics, mental health status, and health behaviors.
Author(s): Megan J. Yerton, Connor J. McCabe, Matthew D. Iles-Shih, Judith I. Tsui, Kevin A. Hallgren
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 20, 67
Date: 08/2025
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Examines the frequency in which patients living in the rural Pacific Northwest with amphetamine-type stimulant use disorder (AT-StUD) received medications for AT-StUD in primary care clinics. Utilizes 2017-2021 electronic health record (EHR) data to analyze patients who have received prescriptions according to demographics, mental health status, and health behaviors.
Author(s): Megan J. Yerton, Connor J. McCabe, Matthew D. Iles-Shih, Judith I. Tsui, Kevin A. Hallgren
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 20, 67
Date: 08/2025
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Examining Geographic Disparities in Access to No-Cost Naloxone in North Carolina: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Naloxone Distribution Programs
Presents a study exploring the geographic distribution of no-cost naloxone in North Carolina. Bases findings on a survey of naloxone distributors in the state and breaks down data by user demographics and distributor type.
Author(s): Grace Marley, Caroline Shubel, Carolyn T. Thorpe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70069
Date: 08/2025
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Presents a study exploring the geographic distribution of no-cost naloxone in North Carolina. Bases findings on a survey of naloxone distributors in the state and breaks down data by user demographics and distributor type.
Author(s): Grace Marley, Caroline Shubel, Carolyn T. Thorpe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70069
Date: 08/2025
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