Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Substance Use and Misuse in Rural Areas.
Developing Smokeless Tobacco Prevention Messaging for At-Risk Youth: Early Lessons from "The Real Cost" Smokeless Campaign
Presents the findings of two separate qualitative research studies – strategic concept testing and creative concept testing - conducted with youth at risk or who had experimented with smokeless tobacco (SLT), to support the development of health messaging to inform youth on the consequences of SLT use. Focus groups were conducted with 252 rural male youth ages 12-17 from states with high prevalence of SLT associated with the target audience.
Author(s): Matthew W. Walker, Sarah A. Evans, Cameron Wimpy, Amanda T. Berger, Alexandria A. Smith
Citation: Health Equity, 2(1), 167–173
Date: 2018
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Presents the findings of two separate qualitative research studies – strategic concept testing and creative concept testing - conducted with youth at risk or who had experimented with smokeless tobacco (SLT), to support the development of health messaging to inform youth on the consequences of SLT use. Focus groups were conducted with 252 rural male youth ages 12-17 from states with high prevalence of SLT associated with the target audience.
Author(s): Matthew W. Walker, Sarah A. Evans, Cameron Wimpy, Amanda T. Berger, Alexandria A. Smith
Citation: Health Equity, 2(1), 167–173
Date: 2018
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Rural and Urban Substance Use Differences: Effects of the Transition to College
Details a study on the differences in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use among college students from rural and urban areas. Looks at rates of usage for freshman, sophomores, and juniors enrolled in a large, public university in the Southeastern U.S. Breaks down data by age, sex, and race.
Author(s): Karen J. Derefinko, Zoran Bursac, Michael G. Mejia, Richard Milich, Donald R. Lynam
Citation: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 44(2), 224-234
Date: 2018
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Details a study on the differences in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use among college students from rural and urban areas. Looks at rates of usage for freshman, sophomores, and juniors enrolled in a large, public university in the Southeastern U.S. Breaks down data by age, sex, and race.
Author(s): Karen J. Derefinko, Zoran Bursac, Michael G. Mejia, Richard Milich, Donald R. Lynam
Citation: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 44(2), 224-234
Date: 2018
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Child Welfare and Substance Use
Discusses a study on the relationship between substance use, specifically opioid misuse, and child welfare caseloads. Explores reports of child abuse and foster care entries along with drug mortality rates and retail opioid sales. Features rural information in the second and third reports.
Date: 2018
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Discusses a study on the relationship between substance use, specifically opioid misuse, and child welfare caseloads. Explores reports of child abuse and foster care entries along with drug mortality rates and retail opioid sales. Features rural information in the second and third reports.
Date: 2018
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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The Opioid Crisis in Rural and Small Town America
Provides data on opioid mortality rates in 2016 and changes in opioid mortality from 1999 through 2016 for metropolitan and nonmetro counties. Also provides metro/nonmetro data on drug overdoses by type of opioid - heroin, prescription opioids, synthetic opioids, and unspecified opioids - from 1999 through 2016. Discusses challenges rural areas face in addressing the opioid crisis.
Author(s): Shannon M. Monnat, Khary K. Rigg
Date: 2018
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Provides data on opioid mortality rates in 2016 and changes in opioid mortality from 1999 through 2016 for metropolitan and nonmetro counties. Also provides metro/nonmetro data on drug overdoses by type of opioid - heroin, prescription opioids, synthetic opioids, and unspecified opioids - from 1999 through 2016. Discusses challenges rural areas face in addressing the opioid crisis.
Author(s): Shannon M. Monnat, Khary K. Rigg
Date: 2018
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Portraying a More Complete Picture of Illicit Drug Use Epidemiology and Policy for Rural America: A Competing Viewpoint to the CDC's MMWR Report
Commentary on the CDC MMWR report, Illicit Drug Use, Illicit Drug Use Disorders, and Drug Overdose Deaths in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas — United States. Discusses a range of factors that may impact our understanding of nonmetropolitan drug use and identifies additional studies that have been undertaken related to nonmetro drug use. Also discusses potential differences in effective ways to address drug use in nonmetro compared to metro areas.
Author(s): Tyrone F. Borders
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 3-5
Date: 2018
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Commentary on the CDC MMWR report, Illicit Drug Use, Illicit Drug Use Disorders, and Drug Overdose Deaths in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas — United States. Discusses a range of factors that may impact our understanding of nonmetropolitan drug use and identifies additional studies that have been undertaken related to nonmetro drug use. Also discusses potential differences in effective ways to address drug use in nonmetro compared to metro areas.
Author(s): Tyrone F. Borders
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 3-5
Date: 2018
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The Front Lines of the Opioid Crisis: Perspectives from States, Communities, and Providers
Video recording details the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on the opioid epidemic. Features testimony detailing efforts to combat opioid addiction from representatives of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry; the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program; and the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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Video recording details the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on the opioid epidemic. Features testimony detailing efforts to combat opioid addiction from representatives of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry; the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program; and the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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Rural Youth Fight for Tobacco-Free Communities
Highlights teen-led programs to prevent tobacco use in rural Kentucky, Vermont, and Montana. Discusses the impact youth can have on local and state policy related to tobacco, and well as the effectiveness youth have in reaching their peers on this issue.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Highlights teen-led programs to prevent tobacco use in rural Kentucky, Vermont, and Montana. Discusses the impact youth can have on local and state policy related to tobacco, and well as the effectiveness youth have in reaching their peers on this issue.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Versus Urban Use of Traditional and Emerging Tobacco Products in the United States, 2013–2014
Details a study on tobacco usage in rural and urban areas from 2013-2014. Discusses usage of traditional tobacco products, such as cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, and emerging tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and cigarillos. Breaks down data by gender, poverty level, and area of residence, among other factors.
Author(s): Megan E. Roberts, Nathan J. Doogan, Cassandra A. Stanton, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 107(10), 1554-1559
Date: 10/2017
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Details a study on tobacco usage in rural and urban areas from 2013-2014. Discusses usage of traditional tobacco products, such as cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, and emerging tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and cigarillos. Breaks down data by gender, poverty level, and area of residence, among other factors.
Author(s): Megan E. Roberts, Nathan J. Doogan, Cassandra A. Stanton, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 107(10), 1554-1559
Date: 10/2017
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Silence Surrounding Hepatitis C Status in Risk Relationships among Rural People Who Use Drugs
Highlights a study on hepatitis C (HCV) status among rural people who use drugs by injection (PWIDs). Discusses the rates at which HCV-positive PWIDs disclosed their diagnosis to their partners, close friends, and family.
Author(s): Megan G. Hofmeister, Jennifer R. Havens, April M. Young
Citation: The Journal of Primary Prevention, 38(5), 481-494
Date: 10/2017
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Highlights a study on hepatitis C (HCV) status among rural people who use drugs by injection (PWIDs). Discusses the rates at which HCV-positive PWIDs disclosed their diagnosis to their partners, close friends, and family.
Author(s): Megan G. Hofmeister, Jennifer R. Havens, April M. Young
Citation: The Journal of Primary Prevention, 38(5), 481-494
Date: 10/2017
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Prescription Opioid Misuse among Rural Community Pharmacy Patients: Pilot Study for Screening and Implications for Future Practice and Research
Examines rural and urban community pharmacy patients in Pennsylvania to describe and compare patterns of opioid medication misuse. Identifies demographic and risk factors associated with rural and urban opioid medication misuse. Includes demographic statistics by rural and urban areas, such as education, employment status, and misuse behaviors. Offers recommendations to address opioid medication misuse.
Author(s): Gerald T. Cochran, Rafael J. Engel, Valerie J. Hruschak, Ralph E. Tarter
Citation: Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 30(5), 498-505
Date: 10/2017
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Examines rural and urban community pharmacy patients in Pennsylvania to describe and compare patterns of opioid medication misuse. Identifies demographic and risk factors associated with rural and urban opioid medication misuse. Includes demographic statistics by rural and urban areas, such as education, employment status, and misuse behaviors. Offers recommendations to address opioid medication misuse.
Author(s): Gerald T. Cochran, Rafael J. Engel, Valerie J. Hruschak, Ralph E. Tarter
Citation: Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 30(5), 498-505
Date: 10/2017
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
- Alcohol use
- Behavioral health
- Behavioral health workforce
- Illicit drug use
- Prescription drug misuse
- Substance use and misuse
- Tobacco use
Last Updated: 4/28/2025