Addiction Rural Community Action Guide Now Available

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The Trump Administration released a new tool today meant to help rural community leaders to build a community response to the addiction crisis, which has killed tens of thousands of people in the past ten years.

What is the Action Guide?

The Rural Community Action Guide has research and background information to help community leaders understand more about addiction and the addiction epidemic. In rural areas, there are often few resources available to help people with addiction problems. Many people with an addiction or mental health disorder may feel isolated or desperate. Yet addiction has become widespread throughout small-town America.

In the guide, local government and community members can learn more about recommended action steps, and best practices when it comes to small towns and rural communities.

 “Families and communities in rural America have been hard hit by the crisis of addiction, and face unique challenges in developing effective responses to this disease. The Rural Community Action Guide empowers local leaders to meet these challenges head-on with recommended action steps and best practices for local solutions that will create real change. The Trump Administration’s whole-of-government approach includes partnering with those on the front lines of this fight, and we will continue supporting local leaders to build healthy and safe communities for all Americans,” ONDCP Director Jim Carroll said.

Other Resources for Rural Communities

The Action Guide is meant to work alongside the following tools for community leaders, public health officials, and others working to fight the opioid epidemic on a local level. Here are two more tools available

  • Community Assessment Tool.  This tool can help public health officials specific information about deaths and overdoses in their own community, as well as warning signs of addiction within that area.
  • Federal Rural Resources Guide can help community leaders find funding for treatment and mental health assistance.

 “The crisis of addiction has impacted thousands of families across rural America and has taken a monumental toll on countless communities,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said. “USDA continues to partner with community leaders to address this epidemic and encourage individuals to utilize the action steps and recommended practices included in the Rural Community Action Guide. President Trump is committed to the health and stability of rural communities and will continue to direct his administration to enact policies that increase prosperity in rural America, like providing access to broadband and expanding economic opportunities.”