USDA invests to support rural opioid addiction assistance

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett Sept. 10 announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is partnering with rural communities in 22 states to support opportunities for opioid prevention, treatment and recovery.

“With its impact on workforce, quality of life and the economic vitality of rural communities from Maine to California, the opioid epidemic is more than just a matter of public health—it is an issue of rural prosperity,” Hazlett said. “USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in planning and building local responses to this monumental challenge.”

USDA is investing $10.7 million in 85 projects in 22 states through the Community Facilities program. Below are some of the projects USDA is supporting.

Iowa

United Community Health Center, Inc., will receive a $150,000 grant to buy equipment for an expanded medical clinic in the community of Storm Lake. The facility will include expanded behavioral health services, including diagnosis and treatment of substance misuse, including opioids. This project will provide improved service to about 10,600 residents. Additional funding includes a $1,877,400 previously approved Rural Development direct loan and a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The city of Pisgah receives a $41,000 grant to purchase a used ambulance for the volunteer fire department and first responders. The ambulance is equipped with medical supplies, including reversal medication for opioid misuse incidents. About 250 residents will be served.

Missouri

The Big Springs Medical Association is receiving a $48,600 loan and a $59,400 grant to purchase three cars and one van to transport their Urgent Care Opioid Medical team throughout Butler, Carter, Iron, Ripley, Reynolds, Shannon and Wayne counties. The new vehicles will enable the medical team to travel to remote rural areas and provide care to opioid misuse patients and to conduct outreach and partnering efforts in each of the communities served. Big Springs Medical Association will also provide transportation for patients who do not have access to their own transportation and, therefore, would not have access to opioid use disorder treatment otherwise. The purchase of these vehicles is the first step in the area’s strategic plan to prevent, treat and provide a means for recovery to address the opioid crisis to 102,447 rural citizens the Association serves.

Great Mines Health Center is receiving a $150,000 grant to purchase equipment and furniture for an outpatient substance and alcohol misuse treatment and recovery center in Washington County. This funding will allow the health center to improve access to outpatient substance and alcohol misuse screening and treatment, including medication-assisted withdrawal treatment, a service that is currently unavailable in Washington County.

West Carter County Ambulance Association is receiving a $72,000 grant to purchase a four-wheel drive ambulance that will serve over 2,800 residents in western Carter County. The ambulance will be used to decrease response time and increase access to some of the very rural and even remote areas of the county. This, in turn, will shorten transport time from these remote areas, ultimately reducing death rates associated with opioid overdoses.

The Queen City Housing Association is receiving a $3,750 grant to purchase and install locking medicine cabinets in all 20 units at their multi-family housing complex. This will help the tenants prevent their prescription drugs from being easily accessible to others. This strategic partnership with the complex is an innovative approach to addressing the opioid crisis by helping to control the distribution of opioids within the community by limiting access of prescription drugs to those for whom they are prescribed. This new approach will help keep drugs off the streets and promote a healthier community for Queen City’s 598 residents.

Nebraska

The Hope Crisis Center in Fairbury is receiving a $83,800 grant to buy and renovate an office building. Counseling rooms, interview rooms and a storage area will be added to provide education to victims of domestic violence, often caused by opioid abuse. Other funding includes a $507,000 USDA Rural Development loan and a $5,000 applicant contribution.

The village of Harrison is receiving a $31,800 grant to buy an electric cot for the rescue unit’s ambulance. The new cot will help rescue personnel transport patients suffering from substance overdose, and physical or mental health emergencies. In addition to serving Harrison’s 250 residents, the rescue unit will serve the surrounding rural area.

Oklahoma

The Zoe Institute receives a $150,000 grant to be used to convert a former hotel and a convalescent home into transitional housing to aid homeless individuals recovering from opioid misuse.