The White House is working the rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing substance abuse and addiction.
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director, Jim Carroll, partnered with other government agencies and stakeholders like the American Farm Bureau Federation to hear out their concerns. Access to treatment is one issue they found, so telemedicine offerings were expanded. That effort brought to light another issue in rural America the digital divide.
“We’re talking about making sure that there are more healthcare providers who are able to prescribe some of the lifesaving medications. We’re talking about making sure that communities have access, and it’s been one of the things that I never thought taking this job that we would be interacting so much with the FCC on broadband issues, but I think the pandemic has showed that it’s necessary to get out there and deal with what American people need, which is ensuring broadband access in rural America.”
If you know someone who is suffering from a disease of addiction and need resources, click HERE.