Study Will Allow Readers to Follow the Research in Real Time

Albany, NY — The Rockefeller Institute of Government has launched a new, comprehensive study of how the opioid crisis plays out in a rural community in upstate New York. The series, “Stories from Sullivan: How a Rural Community Addresses the Opioid Crisis,” will allow readers to follow along in real time as the study progresses.

By examining the complexities of the problem in Sullivan County, researchers aim to provide insight into the opioid epidemic in similar communities across the country and point the way to effective, practical policy solutions. The study is led by Rockefeller Institute Deputy Director for Research Patricia Strach and Assistant Director for Policy and Research Katie Zuber.

“Despite government interventions at every level, the opioid epidemic is only growing worse,” said Rockefeller Institute President Jim Malatras. “We need to understand this problem fully — from over-prescribing painkillers to the economic realities of people who become addicted — in order to craft effective solutions. This exciting new study will allow readers to follow our research in real time. Our team, led by Patricia Strach and Katie Zuber, will take readers along as they talk to the people on the frontlines of this crisis and analyze the data to find out what needs to be done.”

Already, it has become clear that there is a disconnect between the people in Sullivan County and policymakers. Beyond additional resources to combat the epidemic, the prevailing desire among people on the ground is to be heard and understood at higher levels of government.

The first report in the series, “Pathways to Addiction,” looks at the national context of the problem and challenges the narrow focus on prescription painkillers that tends to miss the broader sociocultural and economic changes that occurred alongside the shift in prescribing practices to leave these communities susceptible to addiction.

The series will be updated with regular reports including multimedia content to paint a vivid, accurate picture of America’s opioid crisis. Follow the process at www.rockinst.org/stories-from-sullivan or on social media at #StoriesfromSullivan.

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About the Rockefeller Institute of Government

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government is the public policy research arm of the State University of New York. The Institute conducts fiscal and programmatic research on American state and local governments. Learn more at www.rockinst.org.