Rural Opioid Abuse Epidemic – Case Study
Eastern Kentucky has long struggled with opioid addiction. In 2022 a coalition of three churches partnered with the Eastern Kentucky Health Department to launch a Medication‑Assisted Treatment (MAT) program staffed by a certified addiction counselor.
- Role of the church: Provided transportation for patients to the clinic, hosted weekly prayer & recovery meetings, and opened church parking lots for mobile dispensing units.
- Outcomes: In the first year, 48 individuals entered treatment, 32 completed the program, and overdose deaths in the county fell 23% (source: Rural Health Info Hub).
- Key take‑aways: Trust built through consistent presence, leveraging existing church infrastructure, and framing treatment as a ministry of compassion.
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