The powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl is driving overdose deaths nationwide to record numbers, with more than 108,000 fatalities last year. But a new study reveals that this overshadows another epidemic playing out in rural America: the use of methamphetamines, often contaminated with fentanyl. The study found that nearly four of five people taking drugs in rural areas across 10 states used meth in the past 30 days. While using meth and opioids together was associated with greater odds of nonfatal overdose than using opioids or meth alone, participants with combined use reported greater difficulty accessing treatment, and those using meth alone rarely obtained overdose reversal medications. Equally important, combined opioid and meth use was more common among those who reported homelessness and binge drinking, as part of multiple substance use disorders. Compounding the problem is the lack of opioid use disorder treatment availability in rural areas along with programs that treat polysubstance use. There is an urgent need for interventions that address both opioids and methamphetamines and are tailored to the specific needs of rural communities.
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Rosenthal Center for AddictIon Studies