opioid abuse

According to USDA economic researcher David McGranahan, the opioid epidemic that has plagued America, particularly rural areas, over the past two decades appears to have had two distinct phases. "Think about these two phases as part of the same epidemic almost ...

The rural community has been hit, and hit hard by the opioid crisis.  Stephanie Ho tells us about an innovative program looking to help rural communities across the U.S.         If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com...

The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services have partnered up to create more housing for recovering addicts.   "Transition housing is an issue we hear about in so many rural communities. So here, we've been able to really explore what are some of the creative options that we have, using some of the assets and programs in USDA,” said USDA's Assistant to the Secretary for Rural

The Department of Agriculture is giving funding priority in a key grant program for applications to address opioid misuse in rural communities.  USDA may award up to 30 special consideration points for Distance Learning and Telemedicine program applications for projects that provide opioid treatment services in 220 at-risk counties identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   ..

Ann Hazlett is moving to the White House from the Department of Agriculture.   Last Week, USDA announced that Hazlett will assume the role of  Senior Adviser for Rural Affairs in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Hazlett ...

If prescription drugs, especially pain-killers, are left lying around at home, can be abused.   "Did you know, that among abusers of pain relievers, 68% obtain those pills from a friend or a relative for free?" said Nancy Hale, whose organization "Operation Unite" fights drug addiction by helping to collect prescription pain-killers, especially opioids.   ...

The USDA has launched an interactive data tool to help community leaders build grassroots strategies to address the opioid epidemic.  Announced by Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett, the tool enables users to overlay substance misuse data against socioeconomic, census and other public information.  USDA sa...

On Monday, the Senate passed the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018, legislation that aims to tackle the growing challenge of opioid misuse and abuse nationwide.  Washington Senator Patty Murray, has been pushing for legislation to address the growing opioid crisis.  Sh...

Anne Hazlett, the USDA Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, announced that the agency has formalized an agreement to aid rural Americans in fighting the opioid epidemic.  A nonprofit organization will purchase homes from the USDA and convert them to transitional housing for people recovering from opioid misuse.   “...

The USDA recently launched a new interactive feature on its website to help rural communities combat the opioid epidemic in rural America.  The map is designed to help visitors learn more about, access, and replicate actions that other rural leaders are taking in small towns across the country to address the epidemic.  The map...