N CREW: Native Collective Effort to Enhance Wellness for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
Official title: AASTEC-AAIHB N CREW Program
Funded at Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board · NIH-11369459 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A community-led program to build local research skills and improve prevention, treatment, and recovery services for American Indian and Alaska Native people affected by opioid and substance use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $500,000 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2DA061111-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369459 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, families, community leaders, and local healthcare providers within the 27-tribe Albuquerque Area service region who are affected by or involved in addressing substance use and overdose are ideal participants.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not live in or have ties to the participating tribes or service area, or those seeking immediate individual medical treatment outside the program, may not receive direct benefit.
What this research studies
We will partner with 27 tribes in the Albuquerque Area to plan and carry out community-led research and data improvements focused on overdose and substance use. The program will train local staff, strengthen tribal research capacity, and improve how data on overdoses and substance use are collected and used. Activities will include working with tribal leaders, health providers, and community members to design culturally centered prevention, treatment, and aftercare approaches. The work aims to make services more trusted, accessible, and effective in the communities served.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more culturally centered prevention and recovery services, better local data to guide care, and fewer overdose deaths in participating communities.
How similar studies have gone: Community-driven, culturally tailored programs have shown promise improving engagement and outcomes in some Native communities, but results vary and local data are still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: English, Kevin Charles — Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board
- Study coordinator: English, Kevin Charles
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.