Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis.
Patient-Level and County-Level Trends in Nonfatal Opioid-Involved Overdose Emergency Medical Services Encounters — 491 Counties, United States, January 2018–March 2022
Reports on trends in rates of EMS encounters for nonfatal opioid-involved overdoses during January 2018–March 2022, based on data from 491 counties in 21 states. Includes trend data by quarter for rural and urban counties.
Author(s): Shannon M. Casillas, Cassandra M. Pickens, Erin K. Stokes, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(34), 1073-1080
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on trends in rates of EMS encounters for nonfatal opioid-involved overdoses during January 2018–March 2022, based on data from 491 counties in 21 states. Includes trend data by quarter for rural and urban counties.
Author(s): Shannon M. Casillas, Cassandra M. Pickens, Erin K. Stokes, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(34), 1073-1080
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Adaptations and Innovations for Delivering Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines disruptions and adaptations in delivering mental health and substance use treatment services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including benefits and challenges of telehealth adoption. Discusses changes to substance use disorder (SUD) and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment during the pandemic and remaining challenges related to access to remote services.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Examines disruptions and adaptations in delivering mental health and substance use treatment services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including benefits and challenges of telehealth adoption. Discusses changes to substance use disorder (SUD) and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment during the pandemic and remaining challenges related to access to remote services.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Barriers to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in the Court System: Provider Availability, Provider "Trustworthiness," and Cost
Examines perceptions of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) availability, provider trustworthiness, and MOUD affordability based on a survey of 151 court team members in Florida. Discusses rates of court referral to MOUD treatment in cases involving opioid use disorder (OUD) and notes rural-specific barriers to MOUD referral.
Author(s): Fatema Z. Ahmed, Barbara Andraka-Christou, M.H. Clark, et al.
Citation: Health & Justice, 10, 24
Date: 07/2022
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Examines perceptions of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) availability, provider trustworthiness, and MOUD affordability based on a survey of 151 court team members in Florida. Discusses rates of court referral to MOUD treatment in cases involving opioid use disorder (OUD) and notes rural-specific barriers to MOUD referral.
Author(s): Fatema Z. Ahmed, Barbara Andraka-Christou, M.H. Clark, et al.
Citation: Health & Justice, 10, 24
Date: 07/2022
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Identifying Unique Barriers to Implementing Rural Emergency Department-Based Peer Services for Opioid Use Disorder Through Qualitative Comparison with Urban Sites
Study examining the implementation of emergency department-based interventions for opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural and urban areas based on interviews with programs in Indiana's Recovery Coach and Peer Support Initiative (RCPSI). Describes barriers to implementation for rural programs, including issues related to intervention characteristics, logistical challenges, and staffing issues.
Author(s): Dennis P. Watson, Monte D. Staton, Nicole Gastala
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 17, 41
Date: 07/2022
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Study examining the implementation of emergency department-based interventions for opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural and urban areas based on interviews with programs in Indiana's Recovery Coach and Peer Support Initiative (RCPSI). Describes barriers to implementation for rural programs, including issues related to intervention characteristics, logistical challenges, and staffing issues.
Author(s): Dennis P. Watson, Monte D. Staton, Nicole Gastala
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 17, 41
Date: 07/2022
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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
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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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
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
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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
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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
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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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
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Last Updated: 8/27/2025