The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced that it will spend $1 million to open the Native American Center for Excellence, Prevention Technical Assistance Resource Center.

The center is described as "a first-of-its-kind national Native American-run project to promote effective substance abuse prevention programs in Native American communities throughout the United States."

The new center, which will be accessible through SAMHSA's website, will "serve as the repository for the best available information on effective services and strategies for preventing substance abuse and related disorders in Native American populations," according to the agency. "It will also identify innovative and promising programs and practices that prevent substance-abuse disorders and related problems among Native Americans. The center will provide these programs with technical support and additional opportunities for demonstrating their efficacy."