New SAMHSA Center to Help Strengthen Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts in Native American Communities

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently announced the Native American Center for Excellence, Prevention Technical Assistance Resource Center—a first-of-its-kind national Native American-run project to promote effective substance abuse prevention programs in Native American communities throughout the United States.

“This program will further empower tribal communities and foster cooperation and scientific innovation among Native American substance abuse prevention and mental health service providers,” said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D.

The Programs of Regional and National Significance contract supporting the center is funded at $1 million for one year and provides two additional option years (contingent on the availability of funds). Once it is established, the center’s data base will be accessible through SAMHSA’s Web site.

The center will serve as the repository for the best available information on effective services and strategies for preventing substance abuse and related disorders in Native American populations. It will also identify innovative and promising programs and practices that prevent substance abuse disorders and related problems among Native Americans. The center will provide these programs with technical support and additional opportunities for demonstrating their efficacy.

The Native American Center for Excellence will also work with five tribal grantees currently implementing SAMHSA’s strategic substance abuse prevention framework. These grantees include the Cook Inlet Tribe Council, Inc. of Anchorage, Alaska; The Native American Health Center, Inc. of Oakland Calif.; the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa of Peshawbetown, Mich.; the Cherokee Nation of Tallequah, Okla.; and the Great Lakes Intertribal Council, Inc. of Lac du Flambeau, Wisc.

For more information, visit www.samhsa.gov.