Michigan State University's extension office recently received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bring opioid abuse education to people living in rural areas.
The three-year program associated with the grant will focus on the connections between pain disorders, poor sleep, and opioid abuse.
According to MSU Extension Health Specialist Maggie Magoon, opioid related deaths are 13% higher in rural areas than compared to urban counties.
"Conditions are really compounded in rural area for several reasons, and many of them have to do across healthcare, limited access to healthcare. But particularly in this instance to treatment," said Magoon. "So economic reasons. Transportation, distance to and number of healthcare providers and healthcare disparities, among many other issues that rural folks are dealing with."
The program will offer in person and distance learning opportunities through different means. Magoon said they estimate to reach 900 adults in rural areas.
Magoon says that 84.4% of Michigan's drug overdose deaths involve at least one opioid, which is higher than the national average.
"Our goal is to decrease opioid use by addressing the cycle of pain, sleeping, and overdose," she said.
