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USDA offers opioid resources

The USDA is increasing efforts to fight opioid abuse as part of Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.

U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says leaders from USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Rural Development offices will host opioid awareness events throughout the rest of September to highlight the need for more resources in affected communities. Vilsack says USDA will also provide addiction resources in all of its local offices as the epidemic disproportionally affects rural communities.

USDA says opioid addition, including heroin and prescription drug misuse, played a role in more than 28,000 deaths in 2014.