Fort Defiance

Researchers are evaluating the Hastiin Bidziil (Strong Man) Intervention, a secondary prevention program designed to reduce substance use among Native American Indian men aged 18 years and older. This study is part of the larger Community-Driven Indigenous Research, Cultural Strengths & Leadership to Advance Equity in Substance Use Outcomes (CIRCLE) Center of Excellence, which works with Indigenous communities to address drug use related health issues. The study uses a randomized controlled trial design to assess the program's effectiveness. The study compares two groups: one receiving the Hastiin Bidziil intervention, which is a culturally and gender-specific version of the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), and a control group participating in vehicle maintenance sessions. The control group attends five sessions covering basic vehicle care such as tire changing, fluid level checks, and winterizing. The intervention is tailored to maximize community impact and cultural relevance. Participants will be followed for 8 months post baseline, during which researchers will measure the number of days participants use substances using the Time Line Follow-back method. Assessments include tracking substance use days to evaluate the program's impact. The study focuses on adult Native men living near the study communities and involves monitoring substance use patterns over time to assess the intervention's effectiveness.