The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy has received nearly $1.2 million from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust to address the opioid epidemic in rural communities. The two-year initiative will train and support pharmacists in these areas to provide critical resources, reduce stigma, and establish support networks.
Opioid overdoses, a leading cause of death among young Georgians, have surged in recent years. Fentanyl-related deaths rose by 218% between 2019 and 2021, according to state health data.
Led by Jordan Khail, the program will partner with 50 rural pharmacists to distribute naloxone, an overdose-reversing medication, and connect patients to local resources. Dawn Randolph of the Georgia Pharmacy Association emphasized the transformative potential of empowering pharmacists as agents of change in addressing addiction and saving lives across the state.