Rural Community Action Guide: Building Stronger, Healthy, Drug-Free Rural Communities

This report summarizes strategies rural communities can adopt to address substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). The report addresses a comprehensive list of issues including: the importance of understanding addiction as a brain disease and working to reduce stigma; how to use data to better understand and address SUD issues in rural communities; a discussion of the fiscal impact of SUD and OUD on rural communities; addressing workforce development and creating recovery supportive workplaces; the importance of broadband internet connectivity; options for addressing transportation challenges; options for adopting prevention programs; steps to creating community coalitions to address SUD/OUD; specific guidance for addressing addiction in farming communities; strategies for improving access to treatment particularly medication assisted treatment in rural areas; tips for engaging law enforcement and justice informed populations through jail based treatment programs and drug courts; understanding the role of faith-based organizations in community efforts; and strategies for building recovery oriented systems of care in rural communities including recovery supportive housing and peer supports.

Funding Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy – Executive Office of the President of the United States