The governors of the 13 Appalachian states, where rural communities have been blitzed by methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse, say that more regional cooperation is needed to address the problem, the Chillicothe (Ohio) Gazette reported March 3.

Meeting with Appalachian Regional Commission federal co-chair Anne B. Pope, the executives said that addiction is one of the three top health issues facing Appalachia and constitutes a barrier to economic development.

ARC is partnering with the federal Office of Rural Health Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to address addiction problems in the region, and also will provide grant funding for innovative antidrug strategies. ARC already funds the Coalition on Appalachian Substance Abuse Policy.

A forthcoming ARC study is expected to show that while Appalachia is among the regions hardest hit by meth and prescription-drug abuse, it also has done a comparatively good job in providing addiction treatment.