The devastating impact of drug overdoses on Native American communities during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 has prompted the federal government to launch a groundbreaking initiative. The initiative, known as the National Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N-CREW), aims to address the disproportionate impact of addiction and overdose within indigenous populations.
With a budget of approximately $270 million, N-CREW represents the largest effort ever undertaken to specifically target drug use and overdose among Native Americans. Unlike traditional research initiatives, N-CREW is unique in that it empowers tribes and Native American-serving organizations to lead the research themselves. This approach reflects a shift towards community-driven research that prioritizes the needs and perspectives of indigenous communities.
The initiative is a response to the alarming statistics surrounding drug overdose deaths in Native American and Alaska Native populations. With an age-adjusted death rate of 65.2 deaths per 100,000 people, indigenous communities have been disproportionately affected by the national drug overdose crisis. N-CREW is being jointly run by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, drawing funding from the HEAL Initiative.
Over the course of seven years, N-CREW will focus on enhancing research capacity within native communities and using data to inform local public health decision-making. The initiative aims to address major information gaps surrounding the specific nature and causes of the overdose epidemic’s toll on native people. One of the key challenges that N-CREW seeks to tackle is the lack of accurate data on Native American communities, often resulting in their invisibility in government data sets.
By providing resources and funding to all indigenous communities, including Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, N-CREW ensures that a broader range of tribes can participate in the project. This inclusive approach is crucial in addressing the diverse needs and challenges faced by indigenous populations across the country.
Despite the historical context of mistreatment and exploitation of Native American communities by the U.S. government, N-CREW is committed to building trusting relationships and deep partnerships with the communities it serves. By acknowledging the unique knowledge and perspectives of indigenous peoples, the initiative aims to develop effective solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of each community.
As N-CREW embarks on this ambitious research endeavor, it represents a significant step towards addressing the drug crisis and promoting wellness within Native American communities. With a focus on community-led research and data-driven interventions, the initiative holds promise for creating lasting impact and positive change in the fight against addiction and overdose among indigenous populations.
