Letter: Alcohol prohibition isn't working for Oglala Sioux Tribe

Tuesday, October 16, 2012  

"I applaud the Oglala Sioux Tribe for proposing to lift its alcohol ban.

Prohibition not only fails to stop drinking, but also worsens the horrific consequences of alcohol abuse. Despite the best intentions of prohibition’s advocates, the Oglala Sioux bought some 13,000 cans of “forbidden” beer a day. Because alcohol is prohibited, the police have to arrest people for possession of a single beer. The tribe says more than 90 percent of arrests by the tribal police are alcohol-related, along with 90 percent of juvenile arrests."

Get the Story:
Tony Newman: The Failure of Prohibition (The New York Times 10/16)

Related Stories:
NPR: Oglala Sioux Tribe weighs next move on Whiteclay liquor (10/12)
Oglala Sioux Tribe could tap into revenues from sale of alcohol (10/10)
Oglala Sioux Tribe urged to end liquor sales ban on reservation (10/5)