BACK TO THE CIRCLE - PROJECT ABSTRACT THE SUSANVILLE INDIAN RANCHERIA (SIR) LOCATED IN LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, IS APPLYING FOR THE TRIBAL OPIOID RESPONSE GRANT TO PRIMARILY SERVE TRIBAL MEMBERS, AMERICAN INDIAN/ ALASKA NATIVES (AI/AN), HAWAIIAN NATIVES AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS TOWARDS PREVENTION AND WELLNESS FROM SUBSTANCE USE WITH A FOCUS ON OPIOID USE AND METHAMPHETAMINE USE DISORDERS. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES ARE VERY MUCH FIGHTING A WAR WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF FENTANYL AND A STEADY STREAM OF DRUG TRAFFICKING. IN 2022, LASSEN COUNTY RANKED SIXTH IN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES FOR ANY OPIOID-RELATED DEATHS – UP FROM 2021 TO AN AGE ADJUSTED NUMBER THAT IS THREE TIMES THAT OF THE STATE. THE EPIDEMIC HAS HIT THE AMERICAN INDIANS/ALASKA NATIVE COMMUNITY THE HARDEST WITH OPIOID RELATED OVERDOSES IN LASSEN - AT A RATE HIGHER THAN WHITES, BLACKS AND HISPANICS COMBINED. THE PROPOSED APPLICATION FROM SOCIAL SERVICES IS PRIMARILY A PREVENTION GRANT WITH OUTREACH INTO LASSEN COUNTY AS THE COUNTY IS LARGE AND VERY RURAL TO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT AND HARM REDUCTION SERVICES WITH REFERRALS TO THE LASSEN INDIAN HEALTH CENTER FOR MEDICATION ASSISTED THERAPIES FOR THOSE WHO SEEK TREATMENT. THIS GRANT ENTAILS RECOVERY AT THE NATIVE COMMUNITY LEVEL THROUGH GATHERING OF NATIVE AMERICAN (GONA) TRAININGS TO CLARIFY CULTURALLY- DEFINED BEST PRACTICES AND TRADITIONS TO BRING OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS BACK TO THE CIRCLE AND CAPACITY-BUILDING WITH LOCAL PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES FOR EFFECTIVE ANTI-STIGMA STRATEGIES AND FOR DEVELOPING LONG-TERM, IN-HOUSE TREATMENT IN NORTHEAST CALIFORNIA TO PROVIDE A FIGHTING CHANCE TO THOSE EXPERIENCING ADDICTION.