Skip to main content
image of prescription drugs

START-SD Resources

About START-SD

START-SD )Stigma, Treatment, Avoidance and Recovery in Time logo)
Start-SD logo. Stigma, treatment, avoidance and recovery in time.

START-SD is a federal program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) working to increase access to and effectiveness of prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorders in South Dakota.

It is a two-pronged project, with a focus on opioid use disorder in Brookings, Codington, and Hughes Counties and on psychostimulant use disorder in Brown, Codington, Roberts, and Hughes Counties. Our goals are to 1. slow the opioid epidemic and help impacted individuals and families get the care they need to thrive, and 2. Promote healthier coping strategies for and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with psychostimulant use disorder.

Learn more about each of the prongs of START-SD by following the links below.

Fighting stigma and understanding addiction

Many people don’t realize that drug addiction is a complex disease that can affect anyone. To learn more, visit:

Avoid Opioid SD

Resources for those struggling with substance use disorder

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, there are resources to receive help. Visit the South Dakota helpline center website or call the hotline at 1-800-920-4343

The Helpline Center

START-SD News

Project Manuscripts

Funding Statement

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,500,000 with 100% percentage funded by HRSA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA/HHS or the U.S. Government. More Information

Program Directors

Co-Investigators

Data Evaluator

Data Coordinator

START-SD Resources News

See All Our News
Avera Health & Science Center

Faculty publish manuscripts on harm reduction and postoperative pancreatic fistula

Several faculty from the Department of Allied and Population Health have published manuscripts in the Fall 2022 semester. Dr.