COVID-19 Resources for Addressing Substance Use in Rural Communities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified several groups of people and communities that are at increased risk or may face additional health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes rural communities and people who use drugs or have substance use disorder (SUD). Federal agencies have implemented several policy changes aimed at supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for substance use disorder (SUD), and the uninterrupted provision of safe and effective pain management in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) outlines ongoing policy changes each of the National Drug Control Program agencies are taking to support the following priorities:

  • Helping Americans with addiction
  • Offering relief opportunities for people and small businesses impacted by COVID-19
  • Expanding the use of telemedicine and electronic prescribing
  • Increasing flexibility for treatment with methadone and buprenorphine
  • Ensuring access to prescribed controlled substances
  • Supporting rural and tribal communities

Rural Community Toolbox COVID-19 Response Starting Points

The Rural Community Toolbox provides details on federal funding opportunities and other resources rural communities can use to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on individuals with SUD and community efforts related to drug prevention and treatment.

Here are additional resources and tools available from federal agencies and other federally funded organizations that can help rural communities build healthy drug-free places to live during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUD Focused Federal Resources

Federal COVID-19 Resources

Other Federally Funded COVID-19 Resources


Added: 9/29/2020