Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis.
Stigma Experienced by Rural Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorder: A Scoping Review and Qualitative Synthesis
Explores the stigma experienced by rural pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD). Bases findings on a literature review of studies from 2000-2022. Breaks down the various ways and areas rural pregnant women with SUD experience stigma, such as within the community and healthcare settings. Discusses the importance of comprehensive care that takes these experiences into consideration.
Author(s): Victoria Bright, Julia Riddle, Jean Kerver
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 15065
Date: 2022
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Explores the stigma experienced by rural pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD). Bases findings on a literature review of studies from 2000-2022. Breaks down the various ways and areas rural pregnant women with SUD experience stigma, such as within the community and healthcare settings. Discusses the importance of comprehensive care that takes these experiences into consideration.
Author(s): Victoria Bright, Julia Riddle, Jean Kerver
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 15065
Date: 2022
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Community-Based Medication Disposal Pilot Initiative in Southwest Tribal Communities
Describes a public health pilot project testing a community-based prescription drug disposal system in tribal communities to increase awareness about the dangers of prescription drug accumulation in the home resulting in misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, and to improve drug disposal practices. Project provided drug deactivation bags for in-home use, and medication drop boxes were available in 29 healthcare facilities in mostly rural areas of Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada and Oklahoma.
Author(s): Isaac Ampadu, Robert Morones, Andrea Tsatoke, et al.
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 8(Suppl 2), 67
Date: 12/2021
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Describes a public health pilot project testing a community-based prescription drug disposal system in tribal communities to increase awareness about the dangers of prescription drug accumulation in the home resulting in misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, and to improve drug disposal practices. Project provided drug deactivation bags for in-home use, and medication drop boxes were available in 29 healthcare facilities in mostly rural areas of Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada and Oklahoma.
Author(s): Isaac Ampadu, Robert Morones, Andrea Tsatoke, et al.
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 8(Suppl 2), 67
Date: 12/2021
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Opioid Use Disorder: Opportunities to Improve Assessments of State Opioid Response Grant Program
Provides an overview of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program and examines how SAMHSA assesses the program. Offers recommendations to SAMHSA to identify potential limitations in its analyses and provide a more comprehensive assessment of the program to identify opportunities for improvement. Includes SOR grant funding awards by state for fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Provides an overview of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program and examines how SAMHSA assesses the program. Offers recommendations to SAMHSA to identify potential limitations in its analyses and provide a more comprehensive assessment of the program to identify opportunities for improvement. Includes SOR grant funding awards by state for fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Rural Opioid Treatment Program Patient Perspectives on Take-Home Methadone Policy Changes During COVID-19: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis
Examines patient perspectives following policy changes in take-home methadone treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), based on qualitative interviews with 46 patients from 3 rural opioid treatment programs in Oregon. Highlights main themes related to adapting to the changing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges and benefits of at-home dosing, and future policy and procedural changes.
Author(s): Ximena A. Levander, Kim A. Hoffman, John W. McIlveen, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 16, 72
Date: 12/2021
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Examines patient perspectives following policy changes in take-home methadone treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), based on qualitative interviews with 46 patients from 3 rural opioid treatment programs in Oregon. Highlights main themes related to adapting to the changing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges and benefits of at-home dosing, and future policy and procedural changes.
Author(s): Ximena A. Levander, Kim A. Hoffman, John W. McIlveen, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 16, 72
Date: 12/2021
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Robustness of Estimated Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Providers in Rural Vs. Urban Areas of the United States
Estimates level of access to opioid use disorder treatment at 31,053 locations in July 2020 for rural and urban opioid users by comparing drive time and availability of treatment. Discusses treatment differences between rural and urban opioid users with particular focus on infrastructure such as transportation and broadband, hospital closures, and health insurance status.
Author(s): Matthew V. Kiang, Michael L. Barnett, Sarah E. Wakeman, Keith Humphreys, Alexander C. Tsai
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 228, 109081
Date: 11/2021
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Estimates level of access to opioid use disorder treatment at 31,053 locations in July 2020 for rural and urban opioid users by comparing drive time and availability of treatment. Discusses treatment differences between rural and urban opioid users with particular focus on infrastructure such as transportation and broadband, hospital closures, and health insurance status.
Author(s): Matthew V. Kiang, Michael L. Barnett, Sarah E. Wakeman, Keith Humphreys, Alexander C. Tsai
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 228, 109081
Date: 11/2021
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Challenges of Addressing Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Settings: A State Perspective
Highlights a study on evidence-based approaches to addressing rural opioid/substance use disorder (OUD/SUD) treatment, prevention, and recovery that can be applied at the state level. Presents 5 different considerations for addressing rural OUD/SUD and uses Maine as an example.
Author(s): Lisa M. Letourneau
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 152(2)
Date: 11/2021
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Highlights a study on evidence-based approaches to addressing rural opioid/substance use disorder (OUD/SUD) treatment, prevention, and recovery that can be applied at the state level. Presents 5 different considerations for addressing rural OUD/SUD and uses Maine as an example.
Author(s): Lisa M. Letourneau
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 152(2)
Date: 11/2021
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Traditional Cigarette and Poly-Tobacco Use Are Associated with Medical Opioid Use in Rural Areas of the US
Examines tobacco use and medical opioid use for rural populations based on 2019 National Health Interview Survey data. Describes the association between cigarette use and odds of medical opioid use, noting the potential impacts of tobacco cessation interventions on reducing opioid use.
Author(s): Mariaelena Gonzalez, Ashley Sanders-Jackson
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), 11864
Date: 11/2021
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Examines tobacco use and medical opioid use for rural populations based on 2019 National Health Interview Survey data. Describes the association between cigarette use and odds of medical opioid use, noting the potential impacts of tobacco cessation interventions on reducing opioid use.
Author(s): Mariaelena Gonzalez, Ashley Sanders-Jackson
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), 11864
Date: 11/2021
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Grantee Spotlight: Building Capacity for Tribal Health Providers to Deliver OUD Treatment in Rural Alaska
Profile features the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and discusses its work supporting providers and organizations who provide treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in tribal communities in Alaska. Highlights some of the barriers to OUD treatment in rural Alaska and the methods used to overcome them.
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE)
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Profile features the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and discusses its work supporting providers and organizations who provide treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in tribal communities in Alaska. Highlights some of the barriers to OUD treatment in rural Alaska and the methods used to overcome them.
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE)
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Improving Methadone Access for Rural Communities in the USA: Lessons Learned from Covid-19 Adaptations and International Models of Care
Explores the effect of changes to methadone treatment protocols for opioid use disorder in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on access to treatment in rural areas. Discusses telehealth, dispensing schedules, and distribution models before and during the pandemic.
Author(s): Jamey J. Lister, Holly H. Lister
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(4)
Date: 11/2021
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Explores the effect of changes to methadone treatment protocols for opioid use disorder in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on access to treatment in rural areas. Discusses telehealth, dispensing schedules, and distribution models before and during the pandemic.
Author(s): Jamey J. Lister, Holly H. Lister
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(4)
Date: 11/2021
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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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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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Last Updated: 8/15/2025