Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA NW), an Urban Indian Organization (UIO), will address the opioid crisis in the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and other underserved communities, in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area through the SAMHSA-funded FR-CARA project. The proposed project will expand culturally appropriate resources to strengthen the support system for our key community members in the battle to overcome the opioid epidemic where, in 2021, 779 overdose deaths (67% of all overdose deaths in Oregon) were attributed to opioids. By expanding our trainings around fentanyl and the role of naloxone in reversing suspected or known opioid overdose, and increasing our distribution of naloxone to our community, we aim to mitigate the overdose crisis and empower those disproportionately impacted. Goals and objections of our FR-CARA project are to: (1) mitigate the opioid crisis in the Portland Metro area, particularly among those disproportionately impacted, by increasing access to medications and devices that can reverse a suspected overdose or prevent opioid abuse, (2) improve knowledge and skills around serving diverse communities experiencing opioid addiction among our workforce and key community members, and (3) enhance community awareness and education on opioid prevention, treatment and recovery activities through culturally appropriate interventions framed by Oregon's Tribal Best Practices. We will achieve these goals through evidence-based trauma-informed care practices, including harm reduction, evidence-based treatment, drug checking, and targeted naloxone distribution. Goals will be regularly assessed and reviewed by our project team alongside our advisory committee. By the end of our four-year project period, we will strive to serve a total of 1,900 unduplicated individuals. Social determinates affecting Native and Tribal communities in the Portland metro area and directly contributing to the opioid crisis include poverty, poor education, incarceration, lack of housing, and insufficient access to medical care. The NARA NW FR-CARA project will increase awareness of opioid prevention for key partners and community members through education, training and strengthened support/recovery systems. Collaborations between NARA NW, its partners and the community will increase access to needed reversal medications and provide information to continue the battle against the opioid epidemic. Founded in 1970 by community Tribal leaders, the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest was initially established to address the unmet needs of Urban Indians facing substance use disorders. The establishment of successful outpatient programs led to the expansion in scope of services and in 1980 the Residential Treatment Center opened. NARA NW's proven success has continued, and we now operate 10 sites, offering medical, dental, mental health, and behavioral health services.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
