Lamar Associates Announces Tuition-Free Tribal Prescription Drug Abuse and Drug Endangered Children Training and Technical Assistance

Department of Justice-The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services funds Training and Technical Assistance for Indian Country

Albuquerque, NM, March 01, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Tribal communities facing the increase of prescription drug abuse and drug endangered children are being offered training and technical assistance from Lamar Associates.

The Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) awarded the grant as part of the Community Policing Training and Technical Assistance Program. Lamar Associates, and project partners-the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) and National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) will offer 22 training opportunities presented regionally and through web-based online courses and webinars.

Lamar Associates is one of the largest 100 percent American Indian-owned professional training and technical assistance companies in the country with an intimate understanding of the challenges facing Indian Country. The company has trained over 5,000 service professionals representing over 250 organizations in crime, gang, and drug prevention, and community policing education.

"We have been providing education to our Tribal communities to combat the serious and complex prescription drug abuse issue for several years," said Walter Lamar, President and CEO of Lamar Associates. "We appreciate the COPS Office support and our collaborative partnership with NICWA and NADDI to further help our communities." Mr. Lamar is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, descendant of the Wichita Tribe of Oklahoma, and has resided on the Blackfeet, Wind River, Jicarilla, Apache, and Navajo Reservations, and Oklahoma Indian Country.

The consequences of drug use usually are not limited to the user and often extend to the user's family and the greater community. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's latest data indicate that an estimated 2.1 million American children live with at least one parent who was dependent on or abused illicit drugs.

The first regional training will be held May 24-25, 2011 at the Marriott Pyramid in Albuquerque, NM. The program will include courses on prescription drug abuse and diversion, drug endangered children, community policing, partnership development, and problem solving strategies. The courses will reflect cultural understanding and sensitivity and equip course participants with the critical skills they need to respond to these serious issues. Online registration and resources are available at www.tribal-dec.webexone.com.

"We know the importance of realistic training and right-sized resources to support our tribal service providers and communities," said Steven Juneau, Director of Indian Country Training, a division of Lamar Associates. "We have designed the training to reflect the values and commitment of partnership and collaboration." Mr. Juneau is a former federal special agent in charge and enrolled member of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska and descendant of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana.

For additional information, please contact Lamar Associates at 202-543-8181, or email to info@lamarassociates.net.

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Lamar Associates
Walter Lamar
202-543-8181
www.lamarassociates.net
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