Since 1999, more than one million Americans have died from drug overdoses, most involving opioids. Rural regions, including Eastern Oklahoma, continue to face unique challenges in responding to this crisis. While treatment and recovery programs are available, many residents cannot consistently access them because of the most basic barrier: transportation. 

Beginning January 1, 2025, the Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD) will launch Road to Recovery, a transportation voucher program funded by the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board. By providing no-cost rides across the seven-county region, the program will help ensure that individuals in recovery can not only reach treatment, but also the everyday resources that sustain long-term stability. 

Program Goals 

Road to Recovery is designed to: 

• Eliminate transportation barriers for individuals in recovery. 

• Support recovery retention through consistent access to treatment, court obligations, and peer support. 

• Promote whole-person recovery that includes employment, housing, food, and other daily needs. 

• Strengthen existing community services through better connections to providers and resources. 

• Build resilience by keeping people in recovery engaged in family, work, and community life. 

Program Design 

The program will embed recovery-focused transportation into EODD’s existing regional mobility management framework. Vouchers will be distributed through referrals, allowing participants to use approved transit providers for rides. Trips will be flexible, covering a wide range of recovery-related needs, from medical and counseling appointments to essential daily activities like grocery shopping, laundry, or educational opportunities.  

Road to Recovery is expected to deliver thousands of rides each year across the seven-county region. Coordination will be managed by EODD’s Mobility Management Navigator, with administrative staff supporting intake, scheduling, and trip tracking. 

Things to Be Considered 

• Formalized agreements with transportation and mental health providers will be essential. These agreements will clarify roles, costs, and reimbursement structures for transit services, while also establishing the flow of information from providers that is necessary to confirm participation and measure progress. 

• Minimizing invasiveness will remain central. Because this is a vulnerable time for a vulnerable population, EODD will rely on data shared by mental health providers to confirm enrollment and track outcomes rather than asking participants to disclose sensitive information themselves. 

• Robust data collection will be crucial to demonstrating program effectiveness. Key metrics will include the rate of missed appointments before and after program launch, the number of repeat participants, and overall improvements in engagement as defined by mental health providers. 

• Client feedback will be incorporated into evaluation efforts to ensure the program remains responsive to participant needs and supports continuous improvement. 

By taking a holistic approach, Road to Recovery will help individuals not only stay connected to treatment, but also access the everyday resources that support long-term stability. Funded through opioid settlement dollars from the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board, the program will reduce barriers, strengthen community engagement, and promote resilience. As it launches, we hope it will also serve as a replicable model for regions nationwide, demonstrating how practical, community-based transportation solutions can support recovery and build stronger communities.