Hundreds marched in Lame Deer, Montana, last month to protest drug and alcohol-related problems on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Photo courtesy A Cheyenne Voice

The Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska and the North American Inter-Tribal Drug Task Force are hosting another meeting this week.

The two-day summit began on Thursday. With methamphetamine considered to be one a growing problem, tribal, federal, state and local officials are coming together to address substance abuse issues in Indian Country,

"Meth has touched almost every single tribe across the nation," James Iron Shell, a member of the task force, told The Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan. "But it’s not only tribes or the Native communities -- it’s all over the place. We view it as a public health crisis at this time."

The task force formed earlier this year and has already hosted three summits. Attendees have discussed banishment, treatment, recidivism and other issues.

Get the Story:
Santee Summit Attacks Meth Crisis (The Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan 4/28)

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