Bois Forte Band Chairman Kevin Leecy. Photo from Twitter

The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota is dealing with a drug "epidemic," Chairman Kevin Leecy said.

Leecy described prescription drugs, heroin and methamphetamine as the new version of "smallpox blankets," The Mesabi Daily News reported. He said the tribe will need to address the issue through treatment, law enforcement and other methods.

“The threat to our community is great," Leecy said during his State of the Band address on January 28, the paper reported. "But so is our will to fight back and heal.”

Another Minnesota tribe is dealing with similar issues. During her State of the Band address last month, Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians said the restoration of federal jurisdiction on the reservation will help address drug trafficking.

Get the Story:
Tribe intent on tackling drug ‘epidemic’ (The Mesabi Daily News 2/9)

Related Stories:
Mille Lacs Band kept outsiders from State of the Band address (01/13)
Mille Lacs Band hails return of federal jurisdiction on reservation (1/12)
Senate committee examines costs of substance abuse on tribes (07/30)