Rural Responses to Opioid Use from a Nonprofit Perspective

Description: Mainstream media portrayals of rural America tend to focus on themes of political conservatism, lack of resources, and exodus of younger adults. But these stereotypes miss innovative work happening in rural areas, and a long-standing capacity among community building and collaboration around important issues like public health. This presentation will provide examples of rural-based care and responses to the opioid crisis in Southeast Washington, from staff of an independent nonprofit. Public-private partnerships, state and federal grant funding, volunteerism, and mobile-based services will be examined for their utility across a few different models of care.

Presenters: Everett Maroon, MPH, is Executive Director of Blue Mountain Heart to Heart (BMHTH), a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Walla Walla, Washington, focusing on HIV care and prevention, and care and recovery for people with substance use disorder. He is engaged in regional and statewide efforts to increase pathways for recovery in rural areas and…