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Five Arkansas Counties Given $1 Million to Fight Opioid Crisis

The US Department of Agriculture is launching a proactive program to prevent opioid and substance abuse in north-central and northeast Arkansas, a region that has been devastated by the opioid epidemic. Because of this, five counties in Arkansas will receive $998,834 to combat its high rates of opioid abuse and overdose deaths.

This two-year program will be led by Winrock International in partnership with Ozarka College and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. It aims to deliver training, education, and resources to youth and adults in Baxter, Fulton, Izard, Sharp, and Stone counties.

“USDA has prioritized programs that equip rural communities to prevent opioid abuse and access treatment and recovery resources,” said David Branscum, USDA state director. “As U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has said, the opioid epidemic knows no boundaries. It has cut through communities of all sizes and families of all socio-economic backgrounds.”

Arkansas is the state with the second-highest number of opioid prescriptions in the country. The Delta region is deeply impacted by substance abuse, particularly involving opioids.

The five counties to receive the grant are among the most at-risk communities in the state, as indicated by incidence of non-specific drug overdose deaths, youth substance abuse, and other risk factors. The program will specifically target youth and adults who have not received intensive opioid and substance abuse awareness training and education through other programs.

Despite training first responders and law enforcement, as well as some school-age children in the region for opioid abuse awareness, most of the population has not received anything similar. Click the link to see McKinney's top rehab placement programs.

“The opioid crisis is a threat to health and prosperity in Arkansas and across rural America. To grow resilient rural economies, we must address this problem,” said Linsley Kinkade, senior director of U.S. programs at Winrock International. “Many rural Americans lack access to the information and resources they need to prevent and address opioid abuse in their families and communities. Winrock is proud to partner with USDA, Ozarka College and UAMS on this innovative local response.”

The program hopes to reduce the stigma associated with treatment so that it can increase confidence in identifying and reacting to opioid and substance abuse. Through live presentations, community events, online learning modules, and hands-on overdose simulation training, the program will increase understanding of opioid abuse and its effects.

“We are passionate to engage in important programs to help our friends, families, and neighbors access the resources they need to reach their potential,” said Dr. Richard Dawe, president of Ozarka College. “Our role as a primary partner in this vital program will be to develop curriculum and deliver workshops tailored to the needs of our community and this will make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives.”

Ozarka College will deliver five presentations in the region, which will be live-streamed to uamspatientslearn.org, where they will remain available for download and viewing for free to the public. Ten interactive modules will also be made available for free to the public.

“Rural health continues to be a priority of UAMS and our Institute for Digital Health & Innovation is dedicated to eliminating health disparities in rural communities,” said UAMS Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson. “UAMS is proud to be a partner in this effort to fight the opioid epidemic, along with our other programs such as MATRIARC and UAMS AR-IMPACT that assist health professionals who provide treatment for opioid use disorders.”

If someone in the family is struggling with opioid or alcohol addiction, it is important to seek help. A combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can go a long way in the fight against drug abuse. But because every individual is affected by addiction differently, a comprehensive program tailored to their specific needs is necessary. Look for a nearby addiction treatment facility today and find out how drug treatment programs work.

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