USDA to Host Roundtable on Opioid Crisis Prevention in Nebraska

The USDA will host Nebraska state senators and other community leaders in a roundtable discussion on ways to combat the growing opioid crisis in the country.

The roundtable will take place at the Federal Building in Lincoln on October 30, and will primarily focus on the potential for an opioid epidemic in the state. There will be an interactive discussion between lawmakers, medical professionals and law enforcement on topics like opioid addiction prevention, treatment and legal concerns.

Vicki Schurman is the public information officer for rural development with the USDA. She said the conversation will be aimed at rural communities with a higher risk for an opioid epidemic.

“We’re going to talk about, primarily, what these drugs are being used for, how bad they are in rural communities and where they’re getting them from so we can all wrap our heads around it and prevent a crisis from coming,” Schurman said.

Schurman said there will be solutions and plans presented by state senators and community leaders at the roundtable.

Editor's Note: This story contains a correction as to the location of the event. The event will be held at the Federal Building in Lincoln on October 30. A different location was previously reported. We regret the error.