South Dakota State University

The START-SD-OR project aims to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with overdoses related to substance use in target communities among adults aged 18-54. This project will expand our current innovative START-SD program (Stigma, Treatment, Avoidance, and Recovery in Time). START-SD has three prongs, funded by separate RCORP awards, which address key barriers to the prevention, treatment, and recovery services for OUD and psychostimulant use disorder. The START-SD-OR project will leverage the tremendous skills and resources from seven of our consortium organizations: the applicant agency, SDSU, USD, Coteau des Prairies Health Care System, Face It TOGETHER, Straight Up Care, South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care, and Emily's Hope. The target rural service area includes Yankton, Lyman, Roberts, and Hughes Counties, which have a combined population of 54,918 people. All four counties are listed as health professional shortage areas and mental health professional shortage areas, and all four counties are deemed to have an elevated risk for overdose and other substance-related outcomes. Through the START-SD-OR program, the project team and partner organizations will complete work to distribute harm reduction supplies, including naloxone prescriptions and fentanyl test strips, integrate evidence-based strategies for education and training activities among healthcare staff in the target counties, reinforce and grow existing peer-recovery support organizations and resources, and conduct anti-stigma work through community outreach and healthcare staff education. This approach will improve overall access and use of services and improve long-term outcomes in our target counties.