Culturally Responsive Opioid and Other Drug Prevention for American Indian/Alaska Native People: a Comparison of Reservation- and Urban-Based Approaches

• DOI: 10.1007/s11121-022-01396-y
• Publication Date: 2022-06-24T17:22:46Z
• Authors: Kelli A. Komro; Elizabeth J. D‘Amico; Daniel L. Dickerson; Juli R. Skinner; Carrie L. Johnson; Terrence K. Kominsky; Kathy Etz
• Keywords: Indian country; Community-Based Participatory Research; Health psychology; Prevention science; Community Engagement

Abstract There are few substance use treatment and prevention programs for AI/AN people that integrate culturally based practices with evidence-based prevention. The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Prevention Cooperative supports two projects focused on populations. One focuses youth ages 15 20 years living within the Cherokee Nation reservation, a multicultural rural area in northeastern Oklahoma, second emerging adults 18 25 diverse urban areas. We provide brief overview trials case comparison across approaches using framework promising intervention science Indigenous communities (Whitesell et al., 2020) related (1) integration academic perspectives respond community needs, (2) partnership engagement, (3) alignment cultural values practices, (4) capacity building empowerment, (5) implementation complex contexts, (6) tribal oversight. Overall, these highlight importance long-standing relationships partners, engaging at all levels ensure programming is developmentally appropriate, having elder These key establishing trust confidence research ensuring can benefit people. studies showcase how strong partnerships advance health support conduct rigorous help pinpoint optimal solutions by identifying efficacious, grounded strategies. Although sovereign status tribes demands this type partnership, serves as model has goal improving health.