This academic paper outlines a study investigating the extent to which illegal manufactured fentanyl (IMF) supply varies over time and geography, as well as how the price changes based on these factors. The author's found that since 2013, the IMF problem has become more deadly and diverse. 

This resource guide from SAMHSA explains that the central focus of a recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC) is to create an infrastructure or system of care with the resources to effectively address the full range of substance use problems within communities. Recovery-oriented activities include providing a menu of traditional treatment services and alternative therapies, including peer recovery coaching, acupuncture, meditation, and music and art therapy.

According to this document, recovery support services, including employment assistance, child care, care management, and housing support, may enhance the engagement of individuals and their families in achieving and sustaining recovery.

This is a website from Abt Associates highlighting a series of reports that provide a scoping review of first responder-led programs designed to maximize diversion from the justice and emergency systems to treatment and community-based services, then presents a framework for considering the different types of programs for preventing crises or improving emergency responses for individuals with substance use disorder, severe mental illness, or those experiencing homelessness. 

This is an academic paper that evaluates a community prescription medication take-back/drug disposal drive that was led by surgeons in a city in Michigan. Results were impressive as a total of 74,363 dosing units of unused medication, most commonly hydrocodone (an opioid), were brought in from the homes of 104 event participants. Those surveyed who took part in the event indicated that unused opioids were frequently available in homes with children or youth. This initiative was co-led by Michigan OPEN. 

This is a report from the National League of Cities and Policy Research, Inc. that details the various co-responder models available to city and county leaders to respond to behavioral health crises. These innovate models are cost-effective options to divert individuals away from the criminal justice system. Specific models implemented across the United States are highlighted. 

This is a policy brief from the National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center that highlights that the opioid crisis has impacted American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) more than other groups. Causes mentioned are overprescribing and a high prevalence of trauma in AI/AN. The brief calls for tribes to respond with a multifaceted, collaborative approach to address this complex problem. 

This is a report from the Partnership to End Addiction that gives an overview of what prevention is, why it is a critical component of a comprehensive response to addiction, and the importance of delivering evidence-based prevention strategies earlier and broader. Research and practice recommendations are provided. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Healthy Communities website discusses the role that communities play in health outcomes, with a focus on social determinants of health, public health, and disparities. 

This report from USDA and ONDCP is a compilation of qualitative data collected from numerous community organizations, which provides an overview of the key challenges rural communities face when addressing the consequences of prescription opioid misuse and the use of illicit substances, divided into sections on unique rural challenges, prevention, treatment, and recovery. There is also a supplement that showcases localized efforts implemented to help mitigate the impact of substance use disorder.

This is a toolkit from the ONDCP and USDA that serves as a guide to resources that can help make a difference in rural communities in addressing the opioid crisis and substance use in general. It features a comprehensive funding clearinghouse, interactive tools to assess the opioid problem at the county level, a treatment and services locator, a links to technical assistance and trainings. 

This is a working paper from the Maine Rural Health Research Center (authors Gale, Hansen, and Williamson) and is a qualitative study based on interviews with key stakeholders in Indiana, North Carolina, Vermont, and Washington State that explores promising state and community strategies to tackle the opioid crisis in rural communities and identifies rural challenges to the provision of opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Specific promising program models are highlighted in this document. 

A toolkit from Rural Health Information Hub to help organizations implement, evaluate, and sustain prevention and treatment solutions to address substance use disorders. This resource also highlights existing promising programs and models to replicate.