Rural Appalachia and the Opioid Epidemic: Overcoming Current Barriers with New Solutions
Location
Hopwood Auditorium
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
70
Start Date
4-5-2023 3:45 PM
End Date
4-5-2023 4:00 PM
College
College of Health Sciences
Department
Nursing
Keywords
Rural, Appalachia, Naloxone, Opioid, Harm Reduction
Abstract
The opioid epidemic has been detrimental to the citizens of America for many years. As we continue to look for ways to fight the opioid epidemic and save the people of our country, the idea of providing the rescue drug, naloxone, to the general public has been discussed and implemented in some areas. An overdose from opioids causes a person to have respiratory depression and eventually stop breathing. Without intervention, this quickly leads to death. Although the opioid epidemic is nationwide, one of the most negatively affected populations have been the rural communities tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. In rural areas of America, it can take too long for first responders to arrive and intervene before an overdose turns fatal. The goal of this project is to analyze strategies to overcome barriers and provide new solutions for reducing deaths caused by opioid overdoses in rural Appalachia. This country has improved leaps and bounds in helping stop the opioid epidemic, but it must keep evolving and changing its tactics as the epidemic continues. There are many barriers that prevent new approaches to the epidemic from being effectively implemented. This research will highlight what new approaches need to be implemented to address these barriers, their benefits and risks, and what changes need to be made in order to overcome barriers and stop the senseless overdoses. This thesis will highlight the unique challenges experienced by Appalachian communities involved in the opioid epidemic. It will take everyone in our Appalachian communities to save and heal Appalachia.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Kristin Shargots Prof. Amanda Pribble Dr. Laura Kicklighter
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Rural Appalachia and the Opioid Epidemic: Overcoming Current Barriers with New Solutions
Hopwood Auditorium
The opioid epidemic has been detrimental to the citizens of America for many years. As we continue to look for ways to fight the opioid epidemic and save the people of our country, the idea of providing the rescue drug, naloxone, to the general public has been discussed and implemented in some areas. An overdose from opioids causes a person to have respiratory depression and eventually stop breathing. Without intervention, this quickly leads to death. Although the opioid epidemic is nationwide, one of the most negatively affected populations have been the rural communities tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. In rural areas of America, it can take too long for first responders to arrive and intervene before an overdose turns fatal. The goal of this project is to analyze strategies to overcome barriers and provide new solutions for reducing deaths caused by opioid overdoses in rural Appalachia. This country has improved leaps and bounds in helping stop the opioid epidemic, but it must keep evolving and changing its tactics as the epidemic continues. There are many barriers that prevent new approaches to the epidemic from being effectively implemented. This research will highlight what new approaches need to be implemented to address these barriers, their benefits and risks, and what changes need to be made in order to overcome barriers and stop the senseless overdoses. This thesis will highlight the unique challenges experienced by Appalachian communities involved in the opioid epidemic. It will take everyone in our Appalachian communities to save and heal Appalachia.