A slide presentation describes testing for methamphetamine on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.
Meth Contaminates Housing Units
By Vi Waln
Lakota Country Times Correspondent
www.lakotacountrytimes.com ROSEBUD – Statistics issued in January by the Testing-Demo-Cleaning Department (TDC) shows 19% of the housing units under the management of Sicangu Wicoti Awayankapi (SWA) have tested positive for methamphetamine residual. These findings were discussed at a meeting with the Community Presidents Association last week. Archie Brown, TDC Manager, along with Rose Mendoza, TDC Data Coordinator, shared information through a power point. The TDC Department is a part of SWA and is responsible for the testing of housing units on the Rosebud Reservation. The team also oversees cleaning and demolition when needed. The report issued in January 2016, states that 254 SWA units were tested for the presence of meth residual. Also, 76% of those houses tested positive for a contaminant or drug other than methamphetamine. Those contaminants include heroin, cocaine, THC (marijuana), MDA (ecstasy), MDMA (ecstasy), ephedrine, amphetamine and morphine. Only 5% of the total housing units tested showed negative readings. Overall, 23 low rent units, 1 homeownership unit, 2 Sicangu Village units, 1 Wicozani unit, 6 Sicangu Village Estates, 2 FEMA units, 1 HIP unit and 11 apartments at the Sinte Gleska University complex have tested positive for meth. The team also found other drug residual in 193 housing units. One area which tested completely negative were the 20-plex units tested. SWA began testing units for methamphetamine after the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council took action with Resolution 2014-63 declaring a public emergency regarding methamphetamine use. “Our goal is to test all housing units,” stated Brown. “Tenants will receive a 48 hour notice regarding the test.” Vacant and transfer units are also tested for drug residual. No move-ins can be scheduled unless the house is tested and determined to be safe for occupation. A house managed by SWA is determined contaminated and unsafe to be occupied when the meth levels are 2.0 or above. There are still 22 housing units that need to be decontaminated before they can be occupied. Decontamination of a house often involves total renovation. The contaminated materials are transported to a hazardous waste landfill located in Pierre.
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“We do have a couple of housing units that are quadruple the minimum level,” stated Brown. Two housing units that were tested in the past, showed meth levels at 150 and 160. When meth levels are high, the house must be both cleaned and then left vacant to allow levels to decrease. The TDC department was asked to demonstrate the testing process at a tribal council meeting last week. The team, which is HAZWOPER certified, went through the entire process which included putting on the suits they have to wear to ensure their own safety. They proceeded to demonstrate their process by testing the tribal council chambers for residual. Some of the furniture in the room did test positive for drug residual. The tribal council then requested further testing of the building, as well as ordering drug tests for the council members present and the employees who work in the building. Several areas which allowed access to the public did test positive for drug residual. “The tribal office is a place with heavy public traffic,” stated Brown. Many tribal members, including active drug users, visit the tribal office to conduct business. As a safety precaution, the tribal building was closed the following afternoon to allow the TDC Department to conduct further testing and sanitation. At least one area which the public does not have access to tested negative for any type of drug residual. TDC encourages local residents to report suspected drug use to their office. Staff are also available to come to community meetings and do a presentation. They are located in a building near the Sicangu Oyate Land Office, which was formerly housed the SWA offices. They can be reached at (605) 747-4101.
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