Fund Transportation Services & Internet Access

What You Need To Know

• People living in rural communities often have limited access to harm reduction and treatment services. A study showed that a substantial number of people who use drugs and live rurally inject drugs (84.9%), share syringes (41.8%), and have sex with no condom (80.0%). 

• Every community should have harm reduction and treatment programs. Until then we must support folks in getting where they need to go. 

Transportation Barriers

• Transportation issues prevent parents who use drugs from attending regular treatment sessions, particularly in rural areas.

  • 35.3% of individuals delayed or missed medical appointments due to transportation issues​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

  • Reliable transportation is essential for accessing health care, especially for parents balancing childcare and treatment schedules​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​.

  • Non-emergency medical transportation services like ride-sharing partnerships improve access to treatment​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​.

Childcare Responsibilities

• Childcare responsibilities deter parents from seeking treatment due to fears of child welfare interventions and challenges in securing affordable childcare.

  • Family-centered treatment programs offering on-site childcare or financial assistance increase treatment engagement among parents​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​.

  • The stigma associated with drug use and parenting exacerbates childcare barriers, deterring individuals from accessing services​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​.

  • Childcare responsibilities are a significant barrier for parents, particularly mothers, who use drugs​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

  • Programs providing childcare support reduce the fear of losing custody and improve access to harm reduction services​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

  • Childcare concerns are a major factor preventing parents from seeking treatment, with many avoiding services due to these responsibilities​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

Housing and Food Access

• Housing instability is a significant barrier for parents who use drugs. Stable housing is crucial for maintaining health and accessing treatment. Lack of stable housing increases stress, leading to higher substance use and poorer outcomes.

  • Housing programs like low-barrier shelters improve treatment engagement and health outcomes for parents who use drugs​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

  • Food insecurity is closely linked to poor health outcomes, with parents facing challenges in securing adequate food impacting their ability to focus on treatment​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

  • Integrated programs providing housing and food assistance alongside treatment show improved health outcomes and increased engagement in harm reduction services​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

Relevant Sources

1. "Barriers to Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder" - Discusses transportation and childcare as significant barriers to treatment access​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​.

2. "Family-Centered Treatment for Women with Substance Use Disorders" - Examines childcare responsibilities and treatment engagement​ (BioMed Central)​.

3. "Telehealth in Rural Areas: Overcoming Barriers to Access" - Highlights the importance of internet access for telehealth services​ (BioMed Central)​​ (SAMHSA Store)​.

4. "Impact of Housing Stability on Treatment Outcomes" - Reviews how stable housing affects substance use and health outcomes​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

5. "Low-Barrier Shelters and Health Outcomes" - Analyzes the effectiveness of low-barrier shelter models in improving health and treatment engagement​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

6. "Food Insecurity and Substance Use Treatment" - Explores the link between food insecurity and treatment outcomes for parents who use drugs​ (Drugs and Alcohol)​.

7. Variation in HIV Transmission Behaviors Among People Who Use Drugs in Rural US Communities