As opioid overdoses continue to climb across the state, studies show it's hitting rural communities the hardest. Experts tell our Briana Smith about some of the best solutions to handle this crisis.

It's been deemed a public health emergency nationwide -- killing many in both urban and rural communities.

"I think the overdose has a distinct imprint in rural communities in New York State," said Kassandra Frederique, the Drug Policy Alliance director.

So experts gathered at Binghamton University for the Drug Use in Upstate New York conference to discuss possible solutions to help people living in rural areas.

"Everyone's dying,” Frederique said. “The numbers are similar. I think when it comes to rural communities, the rate at which people is stark. It's astronomical."

Data shows that rural counties have had the most significant rise in opioid-related deaths since 2006, with an increase of nearly 300 %.

"Part of the reason the communities are struggling right now is because we never built in the health infrastructure to deal with crises and health crises,” Frederique said.

Experts say solutions need to address the needs of rural communities.

Such as adding more medication assisted-treatments, mobile health services and safe consumption sites where people can inject under medical supervision.

"It's been tried for literally 30 years in other parts of the world,” said John Barry, the Southern Tier Aids Program executive director. “The parts of the world that have utilized this are still operating."

Local organizations are working to legalize these sites to help reduce harm.

All, while fighting for more funding.

"If we decide that we are going to do some things differently and put our money towards different things it will get better,” Barry said. “If we decide to try and lock everybody up, I think it's going to get worse."

But advocates are hopeful that implementing these solutions as soon as possible will help save lives.

The conference also focused on new legislation at the local level, effective public education and law enforcement involvement to help tackle the overdose crisis.