Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Coordinating across federal agencies responsible to address alcohol and substance abuse issues, including DOI's (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education), DOJ's (Office of Justice Programs, Office of Tribal Justice) and HHS' (IHS and other agencies in charge of assisting Indian Country)

Latest from OIASA

Prevention & Recovery Newsletter (Fall 2012)

The Fall 2012 issue of "Prevention & Recovery" newsletter is now available for download. This issue contains articles on Native youth participating in the 2012 National Intertribal Youth Summit, the two-year anniversary of the Tribal Law and Order Act, a spotlight on a successful Bureau of Indian Education school, an introduction to the parent essay winner of the Family and Child Education's family literacy program, highlights from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' visit to the Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, along with grants, events, announcements, and much more.

Download the Fall 2012 issue of the quarterly newsletter Prevention & Recovery: A Multi-Agency Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Collaboration (PDF 3.9MB).

Visit the Prevention & Recovery Archive for past issues.

Press Release (08/05/2011)

New Approach Launched to Reduce Tribal Alcohol and Substance Abuse Problems

The Tribal Law and Order Act which President Obama signed into law on July 29, 2010, works to promote and improve justice, safety and health within American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. In particular, the law calls for the creation of the new office to coordinate alcohol and substance abuse efforts among the American Indian and Alaskan Native communities and federal agencies.

The office will be located in HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The office is poised to begin work immediately, in collaboration with DOI and DOJ on determining the scope of the ongoing problem -- identifying and assessing national, state, tribal, and local alcohol and substance abuse programs and resources; and creating standards for programs. An interdepartmental coordinating committee will guide the overall direction of the new government efforts to improve its work with tribal communities.

That's My People

Originally hosted at the Department of Justice at www.justice.gov/tribal/videos.html
"That's My People" is a public service announcement (PSA) developed at the 2011 National Intertribal Youth Summit (NIYS). The PSA represents many voices and vocalizes issues that tribal youth across all regions identified as important to address in their communities. It was filmed on site during the NIYS at the Santa Fe Indian School.

Featured Resources

Working Effectively with Tribal Governments

This training curriculum along with several resources has been developed to provide federal employees with skills and knowledge they can use to work more effectively with tribal governments.

Learn more about working effectively with tribal governments.

CultureCard: A Guide to Build Cultural Awareness

The Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse' current featured resource is "CultureCard: A Guide to Build Cultural Awareness". It is intended to enhance cultural competence when serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Covers regional differences; cultural customs; spirituality; communications styles; the role of veterans and the elderly, and health disparities, such as suicide.