Training Offers Hope for Treating Rural Opioid Crisis

Dr. Jennifer Allen has far too often seen how the devastating effects of opioid addiction can take a toll on a community. Whether it’s in her primary practice in Quincy, Illinois, or her Friday clinic 30 minutes away in Hannibal, Missouri, patterns tend to emerge when it comes to opioids.

“I’ve seen it breaking up families,” Allen said. “A lot of people have said to me, ‘I’ve lost my family. I’ve lost my wife, my children because of my drug problem. My wife left me and said she wasn’t going to put up with this. I need help.’ ”

The reality of working as just one of a handful of physicians in small towns dealing with so much addiction can be overwhelming. Comparing treatment notes in relatively isolated areas simply isn’t an option for Allen as it might be for a doctor in a large, metropolitan area.

Thankfully for Allen, the University of Missouri School of Medicine has recognized the problem and is doing something about it.