Pubdate: Wed, 26 Sep 2007 Source: Glacier Reporter (MT) Copyright: 2007 Golden Triangle Newspapers Contact: http://www.goldentrianglenews.com/glacier_reporter/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4565 TRIBAL LEADERS COUNCIL BATTLING DRUG ABUSE IN INDIAN COUNTRY The Montana Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council (MT-WY TLC) is proud to announce that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has funded a Tribal Access to Recovery Program. The grant's mission is to address the gaps and barriers that impede access to a continuum of care for American Indians that is culturally competent and effective. Gordon Belcourt, executive director of the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, said, "We are pleased and honored to receive notification that SAMHSA has awarded the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council this major grant. We are working to address the devastating impact of drug abuse, especially methamphetamine abuse on the reservations of Montana and Wyoming. This program will provide important additional resources and tools to combat substance abuse in Indian Country, and we thank the Montana and Wyoming Congressional delegation for their continued support in this battle against abuse." The MT-WY TLC will be managing the grant utilizing public health professionals, with the support and participation of federal, tribal, state, local and private agencies with similar responsibilities and roles in the tribal communities. Tribal and urban Indian chemical dependency programs will partner with MT-WY TLC to implement a voucher-based system. The goal of the grant is to increase access through client choice from an array of clinical and recovery support services, addressing methamphetamine and other substance use disorders during the three years of the grant. It will also include long-term planning for sustainability for local tribal efforts beyond the grant period. Of the 70,000 American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in Montana and Wyoming, in 2006, it is estimated that 11,200 who are age 15 years and older needed substance abuse treatment and recovery support services. However, only 4,405 clients actually received services, resulting in 6,795 with these needs unmet. Methamphetamine is particularly problematic for AI/AN in Montana and Wyoming. The unmet need for services for methamphetamine is estimated at 30 percent of the total. Community-based providers in Montana and Wyoming will be recruited to increase the current substance abuse treatment and recovery support system. Grassroots, faith-based, tribal and non-tribal, public and private organizations and providers will be welcome to provide services authorized through the voucher system. The goal is reintegration of the individual into the family and their communities in a healthy way. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek