NIH Launches Initiative to Support Native American-Led Research on Substance Use and Pain

Here at 12 Panel Now, we are always keeping our pulse on the latest news in the recovery community. On August 15, 2024, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) rolled out an exciting new program designed to give Native American communities the lead in public health research focused on substance use, overdose, and pain, while also addressing mental health and wellness challenges. While these communities have many inherent strengths, they still face serious health disparities, often driven by social factors.

You really see this in the opioid crisis, where overdose death rates are highest among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. That’s why this program is all about letting Native American communities take the lead—so they can create public health solutions that actually fit their culture and work for them.

N CREW Program

The Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Program will provide roughly $268 million over seven years (pending funding availability) to support research projects directly led by Tribes and organizations serving Native American communities. This initiative responds to priorities set forth by Native communities themselves.

Tribal Nations have been coming up with some really innovative ways to treat substance use and manage pain. In the NIH Tribal Consultations in 2018 and 2022, Tribal leaders made it clear that the opioid overdose crisis is a huge priority. They pushed for research led by Native communities that taps into Indigenous Knowledge and builds on the strengths of their people to address local health needs.

The N CREW Program aims to:

1. Support research prioritized by Native communities, particularly those that integrate Indigenous Knowledge and cultural practices.

2. Build research capacity in Tribes and Native-serving organizations by offering accessible, culturally grounded training, resources, and tools.

3. Enhance the availability and quality of data on substance use, pain, and related factors to aid local decision-making.

Development Phases

The program will be rolled out in two phases. The first will focus on planning, developing, and piloting community-driven research and data improvement projects addressing substance use and pain. NIH will also create a Native Research Resource Network to offer comprehensive support, training, and resources to participants. In the second phase, set to begin in 2026, the program will expand its capacity-building efforts and implement the research initiatives piloted in the first phase.

Led by NIH’s NIDA, NINDS, and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), the N CREW Program is part of the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative, jointly managed by NIDA and NINDS. Native Americans, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, will be eligible to participate in the program, with projects awarded on a rolling basis and publicly listed.

This initiative aligns with efforts to advance the President’s Unity Agenda and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Overdose Prevention Strategy.

The 12 Panel Now Difference

At 12 Panel Now, we believe in the power of sobriety and the incredible journey of recovery. Our passion for helping those struggling with addiction runs deep, driving us to provide reliable drug testing solutions, such as urine drug test strips and drug test cups, that support individuals on their path to healing. We see each test as a stepping stone toward a brighter future, where hope and resilience shine through even the darkest times. 

Our commitment to this community is unwavering; we’re dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone has the opportunity to reclaim their lives and thrive. Together, we can build a foundation of support, empowering each person to embrace a life free from the shadows of addiction.

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