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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

Expanding the Opioid Use Disorder Medication Treatment Workforce in Rural Communities Through the RCORP Initiative
Examines the impact of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) on the workforce supply of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-waivered clinicians in rural areas, who are able to prescribe buprenorphine. Analyzes 2017–2022 DEA lists of waivered clinicians to report on counties with a waivered clinician, clinician-to-population ratios, and treatment slot-to-population ratios. Discusses the impact of RCORP funding on Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) recovery services in rural communities.
Author(s): C. Holly A. Andrilla, Sara C. Woolcock, Kathleen Meyers, Davis G. Patterson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12867
Date: 2025
Type: Document
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Buprenorphine Injection Among Rural Persons Who Inject Drugs
Describes buprenorphine use by rural people who inject drugs, using data from the Rural Opioid Initiative, to inform patient-clinician discussions and public health interventions. Features demographics and behavioral characteristics of 2,369 people who were surveyed between 2018-2020.
Author(s): Kaitlin A. Zinsli, Elenore P. Bhatraju, Judith Feinberg, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(12), e2450108
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Jail-Based Interventions to Reduce Risk for Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths: Examples of Implementation within Ohio Counties Participating in the HEALing Communities Study
Examines implementation barriers and successes of jail-based interventions to reduce post-release opioid overdose deaths in 1 rural and 2 urban Ohio counties. Details how the counties, which were participants in the HEALing Communities Study, applied evidence-based practices (EBPs) including medications to reduce opioid use disorder (MOUD), overdose education, provision of naloxone, and more. Identifies rural-specific challenges.
Author(s): Joel Sprunger, Jennifer Brown, Sofia Rubi, et al.
Citation: Health & Justice, 12, 48
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Pharmacy-Based Preventive Services for Opioid Use Disorder: A Survey of U.S. Pharmacists
Examines pharmacist perceptions related to addressing opioid use disorder (OUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) in their patients. Utilizes online survey data from 1,146 pharmacists to analyze pharmacist concerns about drug use; drug screenings, interventions, and referrals; and commitment and readiness to address OUD and SUD in their patients. Includes breakdowns of pharmacist demographics as well as rurality of pharmacy locations.
Author(s): Li-Tzy Wu, Jacquie King, Kathryn Hefner, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 19, 88
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Improving Access to Buprenorphine for Rural Veterans in a Learning Health Care System
Describes the development of a implementation strategy to increase rural buprenorphine prescribing at U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) healthcare systems based on existing successful strategies in 6 rural VAs. Discusses clinical needs to support increased prescribing related to mentorship, consulting services, and practitioner education.
Author(s): Jessica J. Wyse, Katherine Mackey, Kim A. Kauzlarich, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14346
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Rural Health Webinar Series November 2024
Webinar series discussing rural health issues on topics including social connectedness, digital literacy and internet access, physical activity, community partnerships, graphic medicine, and opioid use. Webinars listed in the "Previous Classes" tab.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Network of the National Library of Medicine
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Differences in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Testing and Treatment by Opioid, Stimulant, and Polysubstance Use among People Who Use Drugs in Rural U.S. Communities
Examines hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing in rural people who use drugs (PWUD) when drug combinations are used. Analyzes 2,705 PWUD across 10 rural communities in the U.S. from 2018-2020 for drug use combinations, testing, treatment, and more.
Author(s): Angela T. Estadt, David Kline, William C. Miller, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 214
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Analysis of Different Populations Accessing Online Overdose Response Training and Harm Reduction Supplies (ADORES)
Compares demographic groups accessing an online mail order naloxone and harm reduction supply via the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy (UNIV) website versus the Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH) website. Analyzes website data from June 2020 through October 2023 to compare 1,662 UNIV and 4,121 DOH mail order request forms according to requestor's race/ethnicity, gender, age, income, rural versus urban location, and harm reduction supply type.
Author(s): Michaela Pacheco, Abiodun Ologunowa, Anita Jacobson
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 202
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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A Cross-Sectional Study of Stigma Towards Opioid Users among Rural Law Enforcement and Community Members in Tennessee
Examines stigma toward people who use opioids among 48 law enforcement officers (LEOs) and 393 community members in rural Tennessee. Compares perceptions of opioid use and opioid user demographics among LEOs and community members, including data on attitudes related to dangerousness, blame, social distance, and fatalism. Discusses the effects of stigma on access to harm reduction and treatment for opioid use disorder.
Author(s): Kahler W. Stone, Gabrielle M. Chesak, Angela S. Bowman, Michael Ayalon, Cynthia Chafin
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 195
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Increasing Medication Assisted Treatment in Rural Primary Care Practice: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis from IT MATTTRs Colorado
Examines how the characteristics of rural primary care practices in Colorado affect their ability to provide medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD), utilizing data from the Implementing Technology and Medication Assisted Treatment Team Training in Rural Colorado (IT MATTTRs) intervention. Analyzes practice characteristics including practice size, behavioral health availability, MAT prescriber staffing, clinicians with MAT experience, private or non-private practice, and leadership buy-in.
Author(s): Jodi Summers Holtrop, Rebecca Mullen, Kristen Curcija, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Medicine, 11, 1450672
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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