Lugar Center & UHFMR Work Together to Fight Opioid Epidemic

Substance abuse treatment services in our region are limited to one

organization servicing Parke, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. Compounding the issue, a popular medication assisted treatment option for opioid addicted individuals, Suboxone, is currently only prescribed by three providers in the region. One way to attack a multi-generational issue such as the opioid epidemic is to train new physicians safe prescribing patterns and the best treatment options available to them to treat rural residents.

Lugar Center and the Union Hospital Family Medicine Residency (UHFMR) received a grant from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) to train residents, medical students, physician assistant students, and nursing students on the basics of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) protocols for substance abuse. In addition to the training for students, UHFMR faculty will also receive training necessary to implement a curriculum that prepares them to train the next generation of rural physicians.

The Primary Care Training Enhancement Grant (PCTE) is awarded to facilities who show a track record of training highly qualified and competent health professionals.

For more information on the UHFMR visit their website here.