Native Americans & the Opioid Crisis
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time for us to celebrate the rich and diverse culture, history, and traditions of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. We can also use this time to reflect on how deeply Native Communities have been affected by the opioid crisis. Although AI/AN makeup only a small portion of the United States population, they have a higher rate of addiction than other ethnicities.
According to a 2017 CDC report, AI/AN had the second-highest rate of opioid overdoses out of all U.S. racial and ethnic groups, and the second and third-highest overdose death rates from heroin and synthetic opioids, respectively. Native Communities may have many challenges, but they also have many strengths to combat this epidemic, such as strong family and community connections, Tribal sovereignty, and Tribal resilience.
Standard treatment for opioid use disorder usually focuses on the individual, but Native peoples often approach health and wellness more holistically, which involves families and communities. This disconnect makes it challenging to incorporate traditional practices, which are essential and strengthening elements of Native culture, into mainstream medical treatment. There are several things to consider when looking at alcohol and drug rehab programs to ensure they meet the unique needs of Native Americans. Many Native Americans do not have access to treatment programs due to the location of their communities. Additionally, many lack medical insurance or the means to pay for addiction programs, making it difficult for them to get the help they need.
Many treatment facilities that offer programs for Native Americans combine more traditional treatment methods with Native teachings. The Indian Health Service (IHS) found that the most successful Native American treatment programs blend the traditional teachings of 12-step groups with the medicine wheel. The more culturally relevant a treatment program is to Native Americans, the more likely they are to feel comfortable in treatment and to succeed.
Check out the National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC for additional resources. Their mission is to strengthen and promote systematic behavioral health practice improvements for Native providers to honor and contribute to the health and well-being of tribal and urban Indian communities, as well as training non-Native providers using culturally informed practices so that communities have the resources to care for their people in the most culturally informed and knowledge – based way and Native providers can determine how to integrate western practices into their traditional methods.
Virtual Native Talking Circles: Staying Connected in Challenging Times
Please note your time zone:
1:30-3 EST. 12:30-2 CST . 11:30-1 MST . 10:30-12 PST . 9:30-11 . AKST
Please join us for our virtual talking circle. This group will be facilitated by a Native guest and will focus on concerns about yourself, your family, your work, and/or your tribal community that you may be experiencing during these uncertain times. There is no fee or expectation to participate in this event. This is a respectful meeting space. Come share your concerns, offer support, and respect the group’s privacy. Registration Deadline: November 8, 2021
This month’s topic will be: “Two-Eyed Seeing” – the Synergism between Native Wisdom Traditions and Western Science, featuring Mike Bricker, MS, CADC-2, NCAC-2 , LPC.
Mindful Movement is a 30-minute meditation space for individuals to ground themselves, release any built up tension, prepare for the week ahead, etc..
It will be led by Victoria Marie, Wáčhiŋhiŋ Máza Wíŋyaŋ (Iron Plume Woman) (https://indigenouslotus.com/about) and is for all school personnel to attend and benefit from.
The sessions will be recorded and can later be used for teachers to use as a resource whenever needed.
We would like to invite all Portland and Alaska IHS Region TOR grantees to join us for our Regional Meeting on Tuesday, November 16. These meetings are intended to allow grantees to share ideas, discuss difficulties, and learn from experts on managing your grant. We will also have open discussions on topics, issues, and questions that you are most interested in related to your TOR grant/program, so please let us know what you would like to discuss! We value your time and your insight, and would love to have you join us for this event!
Tribal Opioid Response Webinar: Peer Recovery Panel
This is a list of resources that has been compiled (and continues to be updated) during the National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC’s various listening sessions. This guide is tailored for behavioral health providers who are Native and/or are working with American Indian and Alaska Native individuals.
Topics include: general resources, telehealth, resources for children/youth, self-care, staying connected, diversity and equity, and upcoming relevant events.
To download this resource guide, please use the “DOWNLOAD” button located above.
American Indian/Alaska Natives
Your community can be a place of support and comfort
Find support created by your community, for your community. Find a counselor who understands your experience, or join a support group with others going through the same thing. The list below was created with help from the community, so you can find mental-health and substance-use resources whether you have insurance or not. There is caring and affordable support in your community, where you can feel safe and understood.
9 Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Indians
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Behavioral Health Program (CTGR-BHP) is a fully integrated outpatient mental health and alcohol & drug assessment and treatment program licensed by the State of Oregon.
For Behavioral Health Services
https://www.grandronde.org/services/health-wellness/behavioral-health/
Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians
For Behavioral Health Services:
Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indians
Warm Springs Community Counseling provides mental health and substance abuse assessments and can provide results to Courts, school, probation/parole and other agencies with permission of the client. Community Counseling also offers individual and group counseling services to children, youth and adults at no charge and provide a 24 hour/7 days per week crisis service to help community members deal with crisis situations.
https://warmsprings-nsn.gov/program/community-counseling/
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
For Behavioral Health Services
https://yellowhawk.org/behavioral-health/
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
For more information, please call either the North Clinic at 541-672-8533 or the South Clinic at 541-839-1345.
Cow Creek Health and Wellness Center
Two Tribal clinics offering physical and behavioral health services for Tribal members of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
24-Hour Contact: 1-800-935-2649
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
For Behavioral Health Services
https://ctclusi.org/family-support-services/
Burns Paiute Tribe
https://www.burnspaiute-nsn.gov/
For Behavioral Health Services:
https://burnspaiute-nsn.gov/departments/social-services/#mh
The Klamath Tribes
For Behavioral Health Services:
https://klamathtribes.org/administration/social-services
The Coquille Indian Tribe
For Behavioral Health Services:
https://www.coquilletribe.org/?page_id=126
All Tribes Mental Health
A culturally informed mental health clinic offering education, peer support, and substance use disorder recovery for people of all colors, cultures, and tribes.
www.alltribesmentalhealth.com
Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA Northwest)
Culturally-specific mental health and addiction treatment services in the Portland metro area
Call 503-224-1044
Racial Equity Support Line
A peer support line for individuals and families mental and emotionally impacted by racism.
Call 503-575-3764
linesforlife.org/racial-equity-support-line
NATIVE AMERICANS IN OREGON
There are nine federally recognized tribes with reservation lands in Oregon. Those nine tribes have about 24,500 members, according to the latest Blue Book figures. They range in size from the Burns Paiute Tribe, with 349 members, to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, with 5,200 members.