Osage Partnerships for Prevention

Osage Partnerships for Prevention (OPP) is a joint substance abuse prevention initiative between the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) and the Osage Nation.  The initiative connects the long-standing expertise of AAIP and the resiliency of the Osage Nation to reduce underage drinking and non-medical use of prescription drugs among 1,500 to 2,000 Native youth in the Osage Tribal Jurisdiction.

 In the last year, two of the most prestigious western medical journals, the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Lancet have given scientific validation to a fact Indian Country already knew, that American Indian youth and young adults (18-35 years) are dying prematurely at rates not matched by any other race or ethnic group.  The reasons; chronic liver disease, suicide and drug overdose all caused or exacerbated by substance abuse.

 The goals of the OPP is to reduce Native behavioral health substance abuse disparities by
1)  reducing underage drinking and nonmedical use of prescription drugs among Native youth
2)  supporting Native youth who show an interest in medical or biomedical careers and
3) completing a rigorous evaluation of our program model of doctors and Native Tribes working together.

Natives for Narcan – Bakersfield American Indian Health Project – YouTube