How is Opioid Use Impacting Rural America

How is illegal drug use impacting rural America?  Ann Haslett, USDA's Assistant Secretary for Rural Development.

Nearly 64,000 Americans died from a drug overdose. And that is more than the number of people whose lives were lost either in car accidents or gun-related homicides. That's roughly 174 people a day. And an overwhelming majority of these deaths involved an opioid.

Haslett, recently quoted a CDC study that shows the rates of drug overdose deaths have risen in rural areas to surpass the rates of the urban areas.  She added that the USDA sees opioids specifically as a significant challenge to rural prosperity.

"We are announcing the launch of a new opioids web page which will serve as a landing place to connect rural communities with resources to really help them tailor what they need for an effective local response.

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