Tillson, NY, September 1, 2026- Zero Overdose is supporting the Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation in San Diego County through the Tribal ROSE Initiative: Reducing Overdose and Suicide Events Across Tribal Nations, a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The initiative will strengthen suicide and overdose prevention efforts within the Manzanita community, with a particular focus on the tribe’s youth. The program will directly engage the 69 youth connected to the tribe while also building the prevention knowledge and capacity of tribal leaders, families, and community members.
With fewer than 200 tribal members remaining, preserving culture, connection, and community is a critical priority for the Manzanita Band. Tribal ROSE will help strengthen those connections while providing practical prevention tools that can be sustained within the community.
“Prevention is strongest when it is rooted in the community,” said Virna Little, CEO of Zero Overdose. “For the Manzanita Band, culture, community, family, and connection are powerful foundations. Through Tribal ROSE, we are honored to work alongside tribal leaders to create an approach that reflects their community and gives young people the knowledge that they belong, they are valued, and they are not alone.”
Bringing culturally responsive prevention directly to Manzanita
Through Tribal ROSE, Zero Overdose will customize its training to meet the needs and cultural context of the Manzanita community.
The initiative will include suicide prevention and overdose prevention education, recognition of warning signs, education focused on reducing access to lethal means, one-on-one and group training, train-the-trainer opportunities, and a community ambassador program.
Because transportation can be a barrier to accessing services and educational opportunities, Zero Overdose will bring training directly to the Manzanita community.
The program will also incorporate a strong cultural focus, recognizing the importance of tribal identity, history, ancestry, and community connection in supporting youth well-being.
Building community capacity
A central goal of Tribal ROSE is to create sustainable prevention capacity within tribal communities.
Zero Overdose will train tribal leaders and community members who can then share prevention knowledge throughout the community. Through train-the-trainer programming and community ambassadors, more people will be equipped to recognize warning signs, communicate with one another, and connect individuals with appropriate support.
The initiative is designed to make prevention a shared community responsibility.
Rooted in culture. Connected to the community.
The vision for this work can be represented through the image of a tree.
A young person without strong roots can be vulnerable to the challenges around them. But when those roots run deep, and when young people grow alongside a connected community, they have a stronger foundation.
For Manzanita youth, those roots can include culture, family, tribal identity, community, ancestors, and relationships with people who understand and support them.
Tribal ROSE seeks to strengthen those roots by helping young people and community members develop the knowledge, connections, and skills needed to support one another.
Funding for the initiative is expected to begin at the end of September 2026.
About the Tribal ROSE Initiative
The Tribal ROSE Initiative: Reducing Overdose and Suicide Events Across Tribal Nations is a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The initiative supports culturally responsive, community-centered approaches to reducing suicide and overdose events across tribal communities.
About Zero Overdose
Zero Overdose is dedicated to reducing overdose and suicide events by helping communities, healthcare organizations, and systems implement practical, prevention-focused strategies. Through training, technical assistance, education, and partnerships, Zero Overdose works to strengthen the systems and relationships that help save lives.
About the Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
The Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation is a federally recognized tribal community located in San Diego County, California. The tribe is committed to preserving its culture, strengthening its community, and supporting the well-being and future of its members.
Media Contact:
Samantha Basek
sbasek@zerooverdose.org
(973)951-3437
