N CREW Program to empower Native communities to address opioid crisis
Official title: AASTEC-AAIHB N CREW Program
Funded at Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board · NIH-11534646 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A community-led program to build research capacity and identify priorities so American Indian and Alaska Native communities can improve prevention, treatment, and recovery from opioid and drug-related harms.
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 | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $363,627 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2DA061111-01S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11534646 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are American Indian and Alaska Native individuals and communities within the 27-tribe service area affected by opioid/drug-related harms who can engage in community-led research and capacity-building activities.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not involved in the tribal communities or who do not participate in capacity-building or partnerships may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports the Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) led by the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board and its tribal partners. It focuses on planning and developing research partnerships, prioritizing topics meaningful to communities, and strengthening local data resources. The approach centers on community leadership, culturally centered services, and collaboration with IHS and tribal facilities to address barriers like mistrust and provider shortages. The two-year program will lay the groundwork for future implementation that aims to reduce overdoses and improve mental wellbeing among 27 tribes across multiple states.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lead to better community-driven research, more culturally appropriate prevention and treatment options, and stronger data to guide interventions for opioid and substance use in AI/AN communities.
How similar studies have gone: This is a capacity-building and community-engaged research effort; prior work supports that community-led research can improve relevance and trust, though outcomes depend on implementation.
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
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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.