Prescription Drug Overdose (PDO) Deaths Among American Indians And Alaska Natives In Minnesota

Creator

• Carley Anderson, University of New EnglandFollow

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Description

Prescription drug overdose (PDO), particularly from opioids, and substance use disorders are currently a serious public health concern within the state of Minnesota. This is especially true among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) residing in the state, where the health disparities are stark in contrast to other races and ethnic groups. Although a number of initiatives and efforts are currently in place, both within the state and in other regions among comparable populations, the syndemic relationship between poverty and historic trauma response must be a consideration in any intervention pertaining to AI/AN. As such, future interventions will benefit from improved policies informed by culturally sensitive research and intervention proposals. This paper describes an intervention currently operational within Minnesota to mitigate PDO and proposes a new intervention that builds strongly on existing infrastructure in place within the state. The proposed program, called the Tribal Opioid Partnership Program, instates 3 “Tribal Opioid Partners” in place for each tribe, operating as support personnel derived directly from the tribes. These Tribal Opioid Partners provide on-call support, resources, and referrals to those at risk for PDO. Although more research is needed to fully understand the scope of the problem in light of limited data, combining evidence-based science with culturally sensitive and tribally-sourced, Native language speakers is recommended for an effective, focused intervention to reduce rates of PDO among AI/AN within Minnesota.

Faculty Advisor(s)

Charles Snyder

Publication Date

11-2017

Preferred Citation

Anderson, Carley, "Prescription Drug Overdose (PDO) Deaths Among American Indians And Alaska Natives In Minnesota" (2017). Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) Theses. 16.
https://dune.une.edu/ph_ile/16