New data highlights need to fight opioid addiction in rural areas
New data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration shows that rural communities have the highest death rates nationwide from opioid prescriptions.
New data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration shows that rural communities have the highest death rates nationwide from opioid prescriptions.
As farmers prepare for harvest, it is also a time to recognize National Farm Safety and Health Week — particularly opioid addiction.
The USDA is hitting the road this spring to host a series of monthly roundtables to address the opioid crisis in rural America. “The opioid epidemic in rural communities is more than a public health issue,” said Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett. “This is a matter of rural prosperity. Opioid misuse […]
The USDA has unveiled a new web page featuring resources to help rural communities respond to the opioid crisis. “While no corner of the country has gone untouched by the opioid crisis, small towns and rural places have been particularly hard hit,” said Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett. “The challenge of […]
Overprescribing may be the main driver for the opioid epidemic in rural America, but economists say that other factors, including declining farm income, extreme weather, and other natural disasters, may also be contributing. In a study of relationships between socioeconomic variables and opioid-related drug overdoses, researchers found several correlations that are often not discussed in […]
The USDA is awarding 72 grants totaling $23.6 million through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. Several recipients will use the grants to help address two of the nation’s most urgent needs: opioid abuse treatment and mental health counseling. “Under Secretary Perdue’s leadership, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in creating […]
As farming communities face mounting challenges with the nation’s opioid epidemic, the nation’s two largest general farm organizations are teaming up to confront the issue. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and National Farmers Union (NFU) have started “Farm Town Strong,” to raise awareness of the crisis’ impact on farming communities, provide resources and information […]
Rural America is no stranger to the opioid epidemic, but many might not realize the crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder.