Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – Resources

Entertainment-Education Videos as a Persuasive Tool in the Substance Use Prevention Intervention "keepin' it REAL"
Examines the effects of engagement by adolescents receiving a substance use prevention curriculum offering entertainment-education videos on alcohol use by youth and communication skills to refuse drug offers. Seventh grade students from two rural public schools were assigned to two versions of the keepin' it REAL prevention curriculum – one rural based and one urban based. Discusses the pre/post surveys taken by students at the beginning and the end of 7th grade.
Author(s): YoungJu Shin, Michelle Miller-Day, Michael L. Hecht, Janice L. Krieger
Citation: Health Communication, 33(7) 896-906
Date: 07/2018
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The Intersection of Hepatitis, HIV, and the Opioid Crisis: The Need for a Comprehensive Response
Brief discusses the infectious diseases co-occurring with the opioid crisis and the need for comprehensive treatment. Details the relationship between opioid use disorder and HIV and hepatitis infection. Looks at barriers to care and presents suggestions to overcome them, such as increasing access to healthcare for low-income populations, among others.
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors
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Integrating Responses at the Intersection of Opioid Use Disorder and Infectious Disease Epidemics: Proceedings of a Workshop
Features the proceedings of a public workshop on the relationship between the opioid epidemic and the spread of infectious diseases. Presents research and policy options, such as integrating infectious disease treatment into opioid treatment and prevention efforts, as well as exploring the role of law enforcement. Discusses barriers to treatment and prevention in rural areas.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Geographic Variation in the Supply of Selected Behavioral Health Providers
Analyzes the geographic distribution of behavioral healthcare providers across the country. Breaks down data by metropolitan, micropolitan, and non-core counties and by psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.
Author(s): C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), Supp 3, S199-S207
Date: 06/2018
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Challenges Facing a Rural Opioid Epidemic: Treatment and Prevention of HIV and Hepatitis C
Presents a study on the current trends of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection coinciding with the opioid epidemic and the strategies for treatment and prevention in rural areas. Highlights the barriers to HIV and HCV testing and treatment for rural people who inject drugs.
Author(s): Asher J. Schranz, Jessica Barrett, Christopher B. Hurt, et al.
Citation: Current HIV/AIDS Reports, 15(3), 245-254
Date: 06/2018
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It's an Addiction Crisis: Across Minnesota, the "Opioid Crisis" Is So Much More Than Just Opioids
Details the opioid crisis in the state of Minnesota. Includes statistics on overdose deaths and treatment admissions for alcohol, heroin, methamphetamine, and other opiates. Covers hospital addition costs and workforce issues posing a barrier to access in rural areas. Reviews 3 rural community models working to address substance abuse.
Author(s): Marnie Werner
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
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Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP, June 2018
Provides an in-depth examination of and makes recommendations on two critical issues, the high cost of prescription drugs and the opioid epidemic, as they relate to Medicaid. The opioid section includes discussion of rural access to treatment for substance use disorder. Also discusses Medicaid's role as the nation's largest payer for long-term services and supports.
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit
Provides strategies for healthcare providers, communities, and local governments to help prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Includes facts for community members, essential steps for first responders, information for prescribers, safety advice for patients and family members, and resources for overdose survivors and their families.
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Prescribing Practices of Rural Physicians Waivered to Prescribe Buprenorphine
Highlights a study on the prescribing practices of rural physicians with buprenorphine waivers, which allowed them to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid used disorder. Findings are based on surveys of all rural physicians with a Drug Enforcement Administration prescription waiver. Breaks down data by physician specialty, practice type, and waiver type, among other factors.
Author(s): Holly A. Andrilla, Cynthia Coulthard, Davis G. Patterson
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6) S3, S208-S214
Date: 06/2018
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Running the Numbers: County Level Dynamics of Heroin Mortality in North Carolina
Presents a study on opioid overdose mortality in North Carolina. Compares counties that have higher rates of overdose mortality with those with lower rates and aims to identify the factors that contribute to those rates.
Author(s): Alexander H Gunn, Bryce Bartlett, Grace Feng, et al.
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 79(3), 195-200
Date: 05/2018
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