Building Bridges: Advancing American Indian/Alaska Native Substance Abuse Research, A State of the Science and Grant Development Workshop

Details

Location: Rockville, Maryland, Neuroscience Center, Conference Rooms C & D
Date: October 5, 2010 - 12:00am to October 7, 2010 - 12:00am

Kathy Etz, Ph.D. , Chair, American Indian and Alaska Native Coordinating Committee
Phone:

301-402-1749

Enhance substance abuse epidemiology, prevention, and treatment research among American Indians and Alaska Native populations:
- Lay the foundation to network investigators working in this research area
- Determine the state of the science of AI/AN substance abuse research, and identify research gaps with recommendations for next steps
- Provide intensive technical assistance to early career investigators in this field

State of the Science Presentations
- 19 presentations from NIH funded investigators
Expert Panel
- 2.5 hour session to provide recommendations
Technical Assistance
- 26 concepts reviewed, 32 travel awards
  - Prior to meeting: Concepts submitted, vetted, returned with comments for revision, distributed for review
- Presentations, panel, Q & A
- Individual concept review

Multi-faceted interventions to address the complexities of substance abuse in this population including a focus on protective factors within Native communities
Support infrastructure development between and within universities and Native communities to provide a foundation for future research in this area
Technical assistance to new investigators to strengthen future research
Basic research in areas such as epidemiology including large scale investigations
Secondary analysis of existing data
Validated measures and tests of existing evidence-based interventions, perhaps culturally adapted or culturally grounded
Expanded models and frameworks to incorporate, for example, relationships, risk and protective factors, health services and health policy research
Further meetings on the state of the science and technical assistance opportunities

Identify scientific gap areas and areas ripe for immediate action
- Summary report on research direction/processes based on expert panel session
- Find strategies to stimulate science
Work to disseminate science
Determine ways to support infrastructure development phase for communities and academic partners
Identify opportunities for technical assistance including web-based trainings, conferences, and grant development workshops
Continue outreach and networking of AI/AN Substance Abuse Researchers

Note: This meeting was held in with support from NIDA, NIAAA, NCI, and OBSSR.