New approach launched to reduce tribal alcohol and substance abuse problems

Under terms of a new federal framework, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will coordinate tribal substance abuse programs across the federal government with a special emphasis on promoting programs geared toward reaching youth and offering alternatives to incarceration.

The new Memorandum of Agreement describes how the Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse established in SAMHSA will coordinate tribal substance abuse programs across the federal government with a special emphasis on promoting programs geared toward reaching youth and offering alternatives to incarceration.

"Alcoholism and addiction are among the most severe public health and safety problems facing American Indian and Alaska Native people," said HHS Secretary Sebelius. "It doesn't have to be this way. With help that is based in the rich Indian culture these conditions just like other heath conditions can be successfully prevented and treated."

An interdepartmental coordinating council will guide the overall direction of the new federal effort to improve its work with tribal communities beginning with determining the scope of the problem - identifying and assessing national, state, tribal, and local alcohol and substance abuse programs and resources; and creating standards for programs.

SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. said, "Our work with tribal communities has resulted in a new $50 million budget proposal in 2012 for Tribal Prevention Grants, better understanding of law enforcement and judicial training needs, and serious new work and investments in suicide prevention in Indian country."

The new federal framework was called for in the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, which President Obama signed into law in July 2010. It was published in the Federal Register, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08-05/pdf/2011-19816.pdf.