The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that drug overdose death rates are rising in rural areas, surpassing rates in urban areas. A survey by the National Farmers Union and the American Farm Bureau Federation in December 2017 found that as many as 74 percent of farmers have been directly impacted by the opioid crisis.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is approaching the opioid crisis with a dedicated urgency and are partnering with communities to address the problem on two fronts:
- Through program resources for prevention, treatment and recovery opportunities for those in need.
- Through resources to help rural communities address many of the deeper, systemic and long-term issues making these places vulnerable to the opioid crisis in the first place. This infographic illustrates how USDA can help rural communities respond to the opioid epidemic by addressing some of the root causes.
The South Dakota USDA asks health care facilities looking to address opioid misuse in their community to contact the local Rural Development Office to inquire about funding possibilities. Go to www.usda.gov/opioids for more information.
