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Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Mar 24, 2023 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a joint meeting of the National Advisory Councils, the Advisory Committee for Women's Services (ACWS), and the Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) on April 15, 2023. Agenda items include remarks from the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use; updates by the SAMHSA Centers and Office Directors; a presentation and discussion addressing the Children's Mental Health Crisis; discussion/feedback on how to improve the mental health and substance use disorders services during a public health emergency; and a presentation and discussion on the impact on fentanyl in American communities. Registration is required to attend the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 24, 2023 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Advisory Council (NAC) will hold a virtual public meeting on April 27, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include remarks from the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, updates on SAMHSA priorities, follow up on topics from the previous meeting, updates on SAMHSA priorities, and other council discussions. Registration is required to attend the meeting, and those interested in making oral presentations must contact Carlos Castillo with the request by April 19, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 23, 2023 - Announces that the National Association of County and City Health Official has awarded almost $360,000 in funding to 6 sites as part of the Harm Reduction and Academic Detailing project. Sites are located in Ohio, Utah, California, Arkansas, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
Source: National Association of County and City Health Officials
Mar 19, 2023 - Tribal leaders in the Cherokee Nation say $100 million won in opioid settlements will help their community heal from decades of addiction. Over the next five years, the tribe plans to roll out a total of $75 million in new treatment facilities. The remainder will go toward the costs of running these sites as well as a scholarship fund.
Source: WHQR Public Media
Mar 16, 2023 - Announces that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded 15 states each with $1 million, one-year Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) planning grants. CCBHCs were created to transform mental health and substance use treatment and provide sustainable funding for robust community outpatient mental health treatment.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mar 15, 2023 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a public meeting of the Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) on April 25, 2023. SAMHSA TTAC provides a venue wherein Tribal leadership and SAMHSA staff can exchange information about public health issues, identify urgent mental health and substance abuse needs, and discuss collaborative approaches to addressing these behavioral health issues and needs. Meeting information will be posted on the SAMHSA Council's website. Pre-registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 1, 2023 - Notice of proposed rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) amending its regulations to increase access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorders (OUD). The DEA proposes expanding the circumstances under which individual providers are authorized to prescribe buprenorphine for OUD via telemedicine, including an audio-only telemedicine encounter. Comments are due by March 31, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 23, 2023 - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Director of Opioid Initiatives says the 12 tribal nations across the state have the highest overdose rate of any population. The Menominee tribe's new Drug Intervention Team brings together resources from health and law enforcement to fight fentanyl and heroin deaths.
Source: Wisconsin Public Radio
Feb 13, 2023 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on the implementation of amendments made by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, section 1262(a)(1), which immediately eliminated the requirement to obtain a waiver to prescribe certain schedule III-V medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). HHS is proposing to formally remove DATA 2000-related provisions from federal regulations. Comments are due by March 14, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 12, 2023 - Offers suggestions for smaller counties submitting applications for funding to help with substance use disorders. Notes that many grants are within the reach of most counties, though technical assistance may be just as effective for communities trying to address substance use.
Source: National Association of Counties
Feb 10, 2023 - Highlights some of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' policies to support rural providers, improve access to care in rural areas, and support the transformation of the rural health delivery system.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jan 30, 2023 - Highlights two programs on the Cherokee Nation reservation: a domestic violence shelter that provides a variety of the victim services, and the Cherokee Nation Harm Reduction Program, which offers syringe services to reduce drug use and keep clients healthier by preventing the transmission of blood-borne infections.
Source: The Daily Yonder

Last Updated: 3/24/2023