Conclusion
Many rural Nebraskans think it brings shame upon a person to do the following: file personal bankruptcy, apply for food stamps and apply for income assistance. Most rural Nebraskans disagree that the following items bring shame to a person: go to Alcoholics Anonymous or other alcohol treatment, seek mental health care, and go to drug treatment. In general, rural Nebraskans say that residents of their community are more likely than they personally are to think doing the items brings shame upon a person.
At least one-third of rural Nebraskans think the following are a very serious problem or a crisis in their community: abuse of alcohol, use of methamphetamines, and use of marijuana. Persons living in or near larger communities are more likely than persons living in or near smaller communities to say each of the items listed are a very serious problem or crisis in their community. In addition, Panhandle residents are more likely than residents of other regions of the state to say the following are a very serious problem or crisis in their community: abuse of strong prescription painkillers, use of heroin and other opioids, use of methamphetamines, use of marijuana, and lack of immunizations for children.
Opinions are mixed on the change in prescription painkiller abuse in their community compared to five years ago. Just over one-third don’t know how the abuse of prescription painkillers has changed and just under one-third said it is about the same. Just over three in ten believe the problem is worse than it was five years ago.
Persons living in or near the largest communities are more likely than persons living in or near smaller communities to say the problem of prescription painkiller abuse in their community is worse than it was five years ago. And, residents of both the Panhandle and North Central regions are more likely than residents of other regions of the state to believe the problem of prescription painkiller abuse in their community is worse than it was five years ago.
Just over one-quarter of rural Nebraskans say they or someone they know has been personally impacted by the abuse of prescription painkillers
