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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

Evidence-Based Strategies for Preventing Opioid Overdose: What's Working in the United States
A guide for community leaders, public health, law enforcement, and others working to address the opioid crisis in their community. Identifies evidence-based practices that have been successfully implemented in the U.S. and are effective in reducing rates of opioid overdose. Includes strategies focused on naloxone distribution, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), addressing opioid use in criminal justice settings, syringe services, and more.
Author(s): Jennifer J. Carroll, Traci C. Green, Rita K. Noonan
Date: 2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Pharmacy Staff Perspectives on Alcohol and Medication Interaction Prevention Among Older Rural Adults
Analyzes the perspectives of pharmacy staff on alcohol and medication interaction (AMI) prevention programs, dissemination methods for AMI prevention information, and barriers to participation in prevention programs by rural older adults. Interviews were conducted with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in 2 counties for each of the following states: Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia. Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings were used to identify the counties selected based on their rural and national health risk profiles.
Author(s): Faika Zanjani, Hannah Allen, Rachel Vickers Smith, Demetra Antimisiaris, Nancy Schoenberg, et al.
Citation: Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 4
Date: 2018
Type: Document
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Rural and Urban Substance Use Differences: Effects of the Transition to College
Details a study on the differences in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use among college students from rural and urban areas. Looks at rates of usage for freshman, sophomores, and juniors enrolled in a large, public university in the Southeastern U.S. Breaks down data by age, gender, and race.
Author(s): Karen J. Derefinko, Zoran Bursac, Michael G. Mejia, Richard Milich, Donald R. Lynam
Citation: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 44(2), 224-234
Date: 2018
Type: Document
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Child Welfare and Substance Use
Discusses a study on the relationship between substance use, specifically opioid misuse, and child welfare caseloads. Explores reports of child abuse and foster care entries along with drug mortality rates and retail opioid sales. Features rural information in the second and third reports.
Date: 2018
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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The Opioid Crisis in Rural and Small Town America
Provides data on opioid mortality rates in 2016 and changes in opioid mortality from 1999 through 2016 for metropolitan and nonmetro counties. Also provides metro/nonmetro data on drug overdoses by type of opioid - heroin, prescription opioids, synthetic opioids, and unspecified opioids - from 1999 through 2016. Discusses challenges rural areas face in addressing the opioid crisis.
Author(s): Shannon M. Monnat, Khary K. Rigg
Date: 2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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2018 Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force: Important Maps
Details several maps showing county level data on opioid overdose deaths in Pennsylvania. Highlights differences in rural and urban counties. Includes statewide map of treatment centers.
Date: 2018
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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Portraying a More Complete Picture of Illicit Drug Use Epidemiology and Policy for Rural America: A Competing Viewpoint to the CDC's MMWR Report
Commentary on the CDC MMWR report, Illicit Drug Use, Illicit Drug Use Disorders, and Drug Overdose Deaths in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas — United States. Discusses a range of factors that may impact our understanding of nonmetropolitan drug use and identifies additional studies that have been undertaken related to nonmetro drug use. Also discusses potential differences in effective ways to address drug use in nonmetro compared to metro areas.
Author(s): Tyrone F. Borders
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 3-5
Date: 2018
Type: Document
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Vermont Results First: Inventory and Benefit-Cost Analysis for the Department of Health/Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program's Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (Hub and Spoke)
Examines the program inventory and benefit-cost analysis of Vermont's Care Alliance for Opioid Addiction, a "Hub and Spoke" system of regional opioid treatment programs that treat individuals with opioid use disorder using medication along with counseling and supportive services.
Date: 12/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Criminal Research Group, Results First Initiative, Justice Research and Statistics Association, State of Vermont Blueprint for Health, Vermont Department of Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs (ADAP)
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Examining Substance Use Disorder Treatment Demand and Provider Capacity in a Changing Health Care System: Final Report
Assesses demand and capacity for substance use disorder treatment, with comparisons between years 2013 and 2016. Features statistics including numbers of clients, staff hours, percentage of facilities offering pharmacotherapies and accepting various insurance types, and distribution of specialty treatments, with breakdowns by urban and rural locations.
Additional links: In Focus Brief, May 2018
Author(s): Ellen Bouchery
Date: 12/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Alaska Facts and Figures: Alaska Resident Drug Overdoses by Year (2012-2016)
Describes the number and rate of drug overdose mortality for Alaska residents from 2012 to 2016 by year. Covers drug overdoses by five year rolling average and gender, race, age group, and public health region.
Date: 12/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Division of Public Health
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