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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

Long-acting Buprenorphine Injectables: Opportunity to Improve Opioid Use Disorder Treatment among Rural Populations
Explores a study on the potential effect long-acting buprenorphine injectables could have on access to treatment of opioid use disorder in rural areas. Discusses the functionality of the medication, as well as the different patient populations and healthcare settings that could potentially benefit from them.
Author(s): Michelle R. Lofwall, Laura C. Fanucchi
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 152(2), 106756
Date: 11/2021
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County Data Highlight Links between Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome and Placement of Infants in Foster Care
Explores the relationship between neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and the rate of children entering the foster care system. Summarizes county-level data from eight states and highlights community level factors such as maternal education, healthcare, and rurality, among others.
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Overdose Prevention Strategy
Examines trends in overdose deaths between 1999 and 2019. Describes the development and four priority areas of the new Overdose Prevention Strategy, as well as objectives for each priority area. Highlights examples of programs that address substance use disorder prevention and treatment in rural areas.
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Behavioral Health Equity Report 2021
Provides a breakdown and discussion of data drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015 to 2019. Details youth and adult mental health and substance use indicators by race and ethnicity, income level, and metro or nonmetro county, among others.
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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2021 Report to Congress on the State Opioid Response Grants (SOR)
Report details the outcomes of state opioid response (SOR) grants to Congress. Highlights demographic breakdown of people served by SOR programs and discusses key accomplishments by state/territory. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Trends in and Characteristics of Buprenorphine Misuse Among Adults in the US
Results of a study to identify prescription opioids that are most frequently misused, examine differences in motivations for misuse between buprenorphine and nonbuprenorphine prescription opioids, and explore trends in and factors associated with buprenorphine misuse among people with or without opioid use disorder. Features statistics on sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and behavioral health status among adults with past-year buprenorphine use, with breakdowns by large metropolitan, small metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Beth Han, Christopher M. Jones, Emily B. Einstein, Wilson M. Compton
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(10)
Date: 10/2021
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PrEP Care Continuum Engagement Among Persons Who Inject Drugs: Rural and Urban Differences in Stigma and Social Infrastructure
Study examining stigma related to drug use and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as well as awareness of Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment in New York City and rural southern Illinois. Highlights barriers and facilitators to willingness to take PrEP based on interviews with 57 people who inject drugs (PWID) who participate in syringe service programs, comparing rural and urban responses.
Author(s): Suzan M. Walters, David Frank, Brent Van Ham, et al.
Citation: AIDS and Behavior
Date: 10/2021
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Tribal Opioid Response: Strategic Plan 2020-2022
Reports on the findings of the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council Tribal Opioid Response project – a two-year project focused on developing a program to reduce opioid overdose, opioid use disorder, and stimulant use disorder among American tribal communities residing in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and the Piikani Nation. A review of available data and survey results, and a SWOT analysis were conducted to assist in project development. Common themes included: increase prevention through cultural activities and education; reduce barriers to medication assisted treatment; promote harm reduction strategies; offer safe syringe services; and establish partnerships for improved access to opioid data.
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Wisconsin PDO Grant Final Report: Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths Prevention Project
Reports on the outcomes of the Wisconsin Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Death Prevention (PDO) project grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Includes statistics on the rural and urban counties selected to receive the project services such as estimated population with opioid use disorder (OUD), poverty, and more. Describes project activities and strategies focused on reducing the number of opioid-related deaths and adverse events, developing and implementing secondary prevention programs, and providing overdose survivors and their families with services and support within 72 hours of overdose.
Author(s): Kylie Lafayette, Elizabeth Feder, Tom Bently
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
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Drug Use Among American Indian Youth in New Mexico 2019
Fact sheet offering data on current and lifetime drug use trends among American Indian students based on the 2019 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resilience Survey. Discusses impacts of trauma and sources of support on the likelihood of drug use.
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center
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