SJC Exchange Library

In February 2020, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, HHS leaders, and 18 rural partner organizations launched a Rural Community Action Guide to empower local leaders in the addiction crisis. The Guide is based on lessons learned from rural round tables held in over a dozen different states and includes background information, recommended action steps, and promising practices for key topics related to addiction.

 Topics covered include: 

• Stigma
• Using data
• Managing fiscal resources in a community impacted by addiction
• Workforce development
• Broadband
• Overcoming economic challenges
• Prevention
• Engaging the agriculture community in addiction
• Rural health care needs
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Engaging law enforcement in addiction
• Drug courts in rural communities
• Harnessing the faith community around addiction
• Recovery support
• Housing

Partners who contributed to this Guide include:  Addiction Policy Forum, American Farm Bureau Federation,  Appalachian Regional Commission, Center for Court Innovation, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, Faces & Voices of Recovery,  Housing Assistance Council, National Alliance for Recovery Residences, National Association of Counties, National Association of Development Organizations, National Farmers Union, National Rural Health Association, National Sheriffs' Association, NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, NTCA- The Rural Broadband Association, National Rural Transit Assistance Program, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.