USDA Rural Development is investing $10.7 million in 85 projects in 22 states through their Community Facilities program in efforts to battle opioid abuse in Rural America. Three of the states in the WNAX five state listening area are part of the program including Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap says along with the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union, they’re trying to have a positive impact on solving the opioid problem.
He says the Community Facilities program involves rural health clinics and transitional housing for people recovering from opioid misuse.
Paap says it takes coordinated and united effort in order to bring attention to the problem and try and solve it.
The Community Facilities program also includes creation of a shelter in Arkansas for those recovering from opioid abuse.
