Mississippi Expands Statewide Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program
Mississippi State Department of Health launches novel program bringing addiction treatment to all 82 counties through early screening and telehealth.
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has launched a comprehensive statewide program to expand access to substance use disorder treatment across all 82 counties, building on the success of a six-county pilot initiative. The program represents a significant shift toward early intervention and integrated care, using technology to bridge gaps in a state where geographic and workforce barriers have long limited access to addiction services.
From Pilot to Statewide: A New Model for Rural Care
What began as an experimental program in six counties has now been deployed statewide, making Mississippi one of the few states where the department of health provides direct, clinic-based substance use disorder treatment. The expansion comes as the state grapples with significant challenges: in 2023, 49% of Mississippi households were either in poverty or earned less than the cost of basic needs, and overdose deaths rose by more than a third from 2020 to 2021, including a 51% increase in deaths involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
"This work reflects a simple principle: Substance use disorder care should be available earlier, closer to home, and as part of normal health care, not only after a person reaches crisis," said Dr. Dan Edney, MSDH Executive Director and State Health Officer. "Mississippi is showing what is possible when clinical leadership, public health infrastructure, and technology are aligned around patients."
The Five-Year Gap: Why Early Intervention Matters
A key insight driving the program is the often-overlooked window for early intervention. According to MSDH officials, it takes an average of five years before someone's dependence on a substance causes enough problems to prompt them to seek specialty care, even though many patients are open to discussing their substance use much sooner.
"This earlier window is where we have the best opportunity to intervene and improve outcomes," said Jonathan Hubanks, Director of the Center for Injury Prevention and Control at MSDH.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that roughly 327,000 Mississippians aged 12 and older who needed substance use treatment did not receive it, based on 2022–2023 annual averages. In 2023 alone, approximately 708 Mississippians died from opioid overdoses.
Technology as a Force Multiplier
The program leverages Epic, the widely used electronic health record system, and MyChart, its patient portal, to support earlier screening, standardized intervention, and comprehensive follow-up. Rather than reacting only when risk is obvious, clinicians can now meet patients wherever they are on the risk scale.
"We wanted to build something that feels simple for patients and staff, but is powered by sophisticated technology underneath," said Julio Cespedes, Chief Innovation Officer at MSDH. "By using Epic and MyChart, we have created a model that helps us reach patients before substance use disorder becomes severe. It's now possible for small, resource-strapped teams like ours to extend a hand to every patient who might need it."
Here's how the system works: All patients visiting any of the 84 MSDH clinics complete an annual screening through MyChart before their visit, or on a tablet when they arrive. Epic uses a risk scale to determine appropriate responses. Patients with low-risk screening results receive positive reinforcement, while those at higher risk levels trigger standardized guidance for clinicians. Patients at the highest risk may receive follow-up video calls from addiction specialists, breaking down barriers created by distance.
Addressing Mississippi's Geographic Challenges
The telehealth component is particularly critical in Mississippi, where transportation barriers can make in-person care difficult to reach. Some residents of the Delta travel an average of 75 miles for primary care. This access challenge is compounded by severe workforce shortages: 80 of 82 counties have whole- or partial-county primary care shortage areas, and 78 of 82 counties are designated mental health professional shortage areas.
"With just four doctors and 18 advanced practice providers serving a statewide population with significant need, we knew we had to approach this challenge creatively," said Christina Graham, Director of Epic at MSDH.
The video visit option allows patients in rural communities to connect with addiction specialists who might otherwise be completely out of reach, removing the barrier of travel while maintaining clinical quality.
Looking Ahead: In-Home Care on the Horizon
As more patients engage successfully in care, MSDH is exploring how to safely extend treatment for eligible patients into the home. This would create a model that is even more accessible, flexible, and responsive to patients' daily lives.
The potential expansion to in-home care reflects a broader trend in addiction medicine toward meeting patients where they are, rather than requiring them to navigate complex systems during moments of crisis. For families in rural Mississippi, this could mean the difference between getting help and falling through the cracks.
What This Means for Patients and Families
For Mississippians struggling with substance use, or for families concerned about a loved one, the program offers several concrete advantages:
Screening is routine: The annual screening is now standard at all MSDH clinics, regardless of the reason for the visit. This reduces stigma and normalizes conversations about substance use.
Care is local: With all 82 counties participating, residents no longer need to travel to one of the original six pilot counties to access services.
Specialist access via telehealth: High-risk patients can connect with addiction specialists through video visits, eliminating the need for long drives to urban centers.
Integrated approach: Because the program operates within the state health department's existing clinic infrastructure, substance use disorder care is treated as part of overall health care, not a separate, siloed service.
Finding Help in Mississippi
If you or someone you know needs substance use disorder treatment in Mississippi:
- MSDH clinics: Visit any Mississippi State Department of Health clinic for screening and referral services
- SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information
- FindTreatment.gov: Search for providers by location, payment options, and type of care needed
The statewide expansion represents a significant investment in addressing Mississippi's addiction crisis through innovation rather than simply expanding traditional treatment capacity. By identifying risk earlier, reducing barriers to care, and leveraging technology to extend the reach of limited clinical staff, Mississippi is testing a model that could inform approaches in other rural states facing similar challenges.
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