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$2.5 Million Grant Targets Georgia's Overdose Crisis

Augusta University Researchers Focus on Prevention and Rural Recovery

Oct 28, 2026

2 min

J. Aaron Johnson, PhD
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As communities across Georgia continue to confront substance use disorders and the challenges of addiction recovery, researchers at Augusta University are expanding efforts to improve overdose prevention and access to treatment.


The university's School of Public Health has received a three-year, $2.5 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to strengthen overdose prevention initiatives across several high-risk regions of Georgia.


The project will involve partnerships with treatment and recovery organizations in Augusta and surrounding counties, northwest Georgia, south central Georgia and southeast Georgia.


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Aaron Johnson, PhD, Associate Dean for Research and Community Engagement and Director of the Institute for Public and Preventive Health, is helping lead the initiative.

View his profile










“Part of the project will be here in Augusta and surrounding counties with Serenity Behavioral Health as a partner, and we also identified three more high-risk areas in Georgia, which include six counties in northwest Georgia, six counties in south central Georgia and four counties in southeast Georgia. We will work with treatment and recovery organizations in those areas to address overdoses,” said Aaron Johnson, PhD, associate dean for research and community engagement and director of the Institute for Public and Preventive Health at SPH.



The funding announcement coincides with Augusta University's recent hosting of the Augusta Recovers event, which brought together researchers, healthcare professionals, recovery advocates and community organizations to examine the barriers preventing individuals from accessing addiction treatment and recovery support.


Among the concerns raised were shortages of recovery services in rural communities, difficulties recruiting healthcare providers and the importance of directing opioid settlement resources to underserved areas.


Johnson emphasized that expanding treatment and recovery services beyond major urban centres will be essential to addressing the crisis.


The initiative, recently featured in Jagwire, Augusta University's official news publication, highlights Dr. Johnson's work and the importance of collaboration among universities, healthcare providers, government agencies and community organizations in developing effective approaches to overdose prevention.


As communities across the country look for effective ways to address the opioid crisis, J. Aaron Johnson, PhD, is available to provide expert insight into overdose prevention, substance use treatment, rural healthcare challenges and evidence-based recovery strategies.


To connect with Dr. Johnson for an interview or learn more about his research, visit his profile below.

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J. Aaron Johnson, PhD

J. Aaron Johnson, PhD

Associate Dean of Research, School of Public Health; Director, Institute of Public and Preventive Health

J. Aaron Johnson, PhD's research focuses on evidence-based practices, primarily in substance use prevention.

Health literacyAlcohol ScreeningBrief InterventionsTreatment of Substance Use DisordersOpioid Epidemic
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