The Tribal Overdose Prevention Project is designed to help tribal communities heal from the drug overdose crisis in a comprehensive and culturally appropriate way, implementing programs and services meant to strengthen the ability to comprehensively meet tribal public health needs. In addition, this project approach includes activities that will improve capacity to evaluate public health programs and services implemented to address the drug overdose crisis.
The drug overdose crisis has ravaged through communities across America and Native communities are no exception. Research has shown that people who feel connected to something bigger than themselves, like a community, are more likely to make healthier life choices and live happier lives. Therefore, it is our perception that Natives are uniquely positioned to address the drug overdose crisis within their communities.
The SPTHB has implemented the following objectives for this approach:
Objective 1: Improve overdose data by developing or culturally adapting overdose data related products and providing culturally appropriate trainings and technical assistance to the tribes in our area.
Objective 2: Provide 4 subawards to tribes and/or tribal healthcare organizations to build and implement tribal health system wide activities that increase its capacity to screen, diagnose, connect to, and support trauma-informed longitudinal care for opioid and stimulant use disorder and support recovery through the implementation of peer recovery support specialist.
Objective 3: Implement innovative community-based strategies such as harm reduction strategies, educational and communication materials, and peer support activities that increase awareness, reduce stigma, and connect to care.
Trainings offered increase access to activities that promote connectedness such as those offered by White Bison as well as trainings proven to prevent overdose and substance misuse such as Safer Prescribing Methods for our Native prescribers and Narcan trainings for community members.
Our education and communication materials increase awareness of and reduce stigma around overdose prevention, peer support, recovery, and substance abuse. Text the word Peer or Opioid to 55251 to subscribe and receive some of these materials weekly.
Finally, our overdose prevention efforts seek to improve access to life saving supplies through our SovereignMe campaign. Visit SovereignMe.org or text the word safer to 55251 to learn more.
