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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis.

Rural Communities in Crisis: A Critical Count to Save Lives During the Opioid Epidemic
A method rural communities can use to estimate the size and characteristics of the population who inject drugs. Includes a toolkit describing the approach and an online calculation tool that can be used to estimate service needs in a community related to the opioid crisis.
Additional links: Calculation Tool, Toolkit: Applying Population Estimation Methods in Rural America
Sponsoring organization: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
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Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States
Interactive map highlighting state- and county-level drug overdose death data, including opioid overdose deaths, in the United States. Data can be examined by selected demographic, economic, and behavioral health factors for 3 time periods: 2010-2013, 2014-2017, or 2018-2021.
Sponsoring organizations: Bureau of Justice Assistance, NORC at the University of Chicago, U.S. Department of Justice
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Addiction and Substance Misuse Reports and Publications
Shares reports and data from the Surgeon General on substance misuse, addiction, overdoses, and other topics related to the use and misuse of various substances, including opioids, alcohol, marijuana, and more. Includes discussion of prevention programs and screening.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Six Building Blocks: A Team-Based Approach to Improving Opioid Management in Primary Care
Offers a structured approach primary care providers can follow to improve management of patients on chronic opioid therapy. Includes a self-assessment, implementation guide, and links to additional resources.
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Opioid Epidemic Practical Toolkit: Helping Faith and Community Leaders Bring Hope and Healing to Our Communities
Provides practical steps that community and faith-based organizations can take to help address the opioid crisis. Includes information on awareness, prevention, and recovery support. Also covers community capacity building, collaboration, and federal resources.
Sponsoring organization: HHS Center for Faith (Faith Center)
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Opioid Stewardship in the Indian Health Service
Discusses the use of prescription opioids and outlines proper pain management for Indian Health Services (IHS) patients and providers. Features resources and videos for providers and tribal communities in the areas of IHS opioid data, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), pain management, prevention, maternal and child health and wellness, and more.
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Pain Management
Details the Indian Health Service guidelines on pain management. Features information on chronic pain, patient assessment, opioids, and other factors pertaining to the treatment of pain.
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Rural Opioid Educational Resources
A list of National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health resources addressing the opioid crisis. Includes reports, webinar recordings, promising practices, training materials, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) resources.
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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HRSA: Opioid Crisis
Features information, resources, and opportunities related to addressing the opioid crisis. Details HRSA's efforts to help combat opioid misuse, including the sharing of best practices, increasing education and training, and expanding access through health centers and the use of telehealth, among other interventions.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Drug Overdose Deaths in Appalachia
Interactive map highlights drug overdose deaths in Appalachia by county. Features demographic information such as race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and disability status, as well as economic factors such as poverty rate, unemployment rate, and accident-prone employment, among others. Choose the Appalachian Overdose Mapping Tool button when prompted to choose a tool.
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 10/30/2025