2929 3rd Ave N, Ste 300, Billings, MT 59101 - (406) 252-2550

Tribal Opioid Response (TOR)

Tribal Opioid Response (TOR)

Program Description

  • Tribal Opioids Response (TOR) is a two-year funded program through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant no. 1H79TI083252 awarded to the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council (RMTLC) to address the opioid crisis in Indian Country. The goal is to increase access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based treatment services to reduce the unmet treatment need and opioid overdose-related deaths through prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.
  • Collaborative partnerships with Urban Indian Health Centers and Little Shell Tribe to address the unmet need.

Previous Work

  • Workforce Development: Rocky Mountain Tribal communities TOR grantees and chemical dependency staff for opioids strategic planning and MAT treatment training. Weekly TA/discussion calls.
  • Cultural Activities/Prevention: Ceremonies and teachings
  • Harm Reduction: Partnered with Riverstone Health and The Open Aid Alliance for naloxone distribution, syringe exchange, referral, and testing.

RMTLC TOR WORKPLAN/ACTIVITIES

    • Update strategic plan for Rocky Mountain region to address the opioids crisis facing Indian Country. Partners include States, Tribal Nations, Urban, and private entities that serve AI/AN populations in Montana and Wyoming.
    • Implement and support workforce development in Tribal and Urban communities by developing strategies to purchase, disseminate, and train for overdose-related prevention through MAT services and naloxone.
      • prioritize evidence-based MAT services in Urban Health Centers that serve AI/ANs to reduce prevalence of opioid misuse
      • Addressing barriers in receiving MAT services Referrals to medical and recovery support services
    • Support Prevention Activities in Urban communities by syringe exchanges and prescription drug disposal programs and/or naloxone distribution.
    • Develop culturally appropriate awareness and educational materials to increase opioids literacy for youth and elders’ outreach and engagement activities communication and messaging strategies
    • Promote cultural/spiritual activities for AI/ANs by hosting various cultural activities (i.e., sweat lodges, talking circles, spiritual recovery sessions, connecting individuals to Tribal healers, etc.)
    • Evaluate TOR program’s impact in the region.

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