The United States Department of Agriculture is hosting a series of monthly roundtables on opioids through the summer.

The closest one for local farmers to attend would be May 9 in Kentucky.

“The opioid epidemic in rural communities is more than a public health issue,” said Anne Hazlett, assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development. “This is a matter of rural prosperity. Opioid misuse is impacting the quality of life and economic well-being in small towns, which is why partnering with rural leaders to address this crisis is critical to the future of rural America.”

The roundtables are intended to raise awareness and better understand what support rural communities need to address opioid misuse. Key topics will include:

• Challenges associated with substance use disorder
• Strategies for prevention
• Treatment and recovery
• How these measures can be replicated to effectively address the epidemic in other rural communities

For more information: rd.usda.gov.