Indianz.Com > News > Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation confronts opioid epidemic
The Cherokee Nation Harm Reduction Program in Tahlequah is now open. đź’ž
Posted by Cherokee Nation on Wednesday, January 25, 2023
With new addiction center, Cherokee Nation brings justice for victims of the opioid epidemic
Monday, February 6, 2023
Cherokee Nation
For over two decades, the opioid epidemic has plagued the Cherokee Nation Reservation. It has affected every facet of our tribe and society.
Hundreds of Cherokee Nation citizens have died from overdoses. Tens of thousands more have suffered. It caused generational trauma and put the future of our nation at risk. Nearly a third of the opioids distributed in the state in recent years were shipped into Cherokee Nation, because irresponsible drug makers and distributors preyed on the rural communities across our reservation.
However, Cherokee Nation is addressing this plight head on. Our Attorney General’s Office aggressively pursued a lawsuit against the opioid industry that caused so much damage to the Cherokee people. Our lawsuit was the first in Indian Country.
To put those funds to work, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and I proposed, and the Council of the Cherokee Nation approved, a new law that earmarks more than $100 million for drug addiction services, staff, programs and facilities across the 14-county reservation. This marks the largest mental health investment toward behavioral health in the tribe’s history.
We will soon break ground on the tribe’s first addiction treatment center in Tahlequah using the dollars derived from opioid settlement funds. The 17,000-square-foot treatment center will begin construction later this year.
In my last State of the Nation address over the summer, I pledged to build a drug treatment facility for the Cherokee people, by the Cherokee people, and make the opioid industry pay for every penny of it. That means we are able to bring some relief, healing and justice to the Cherokee people. At the end of the day, that’s what this law is all about.
Plans include separate dormitories for men and women at the main treatment center, and it will also include cultural amenities for residents, such as stickball fields, basketball courts and a marbles court.
The expanded law provides $73 million to construct the Tahlequah facility and additional facilities across the reservation over the next five years to meet growing behavioral health needs. We will use $10 million over 10 years for Cherokee Nation Career Services programs, which will help people in recovery find employment, while an additional $10 million will be allocated to Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Services for innovative addiction programs and other efforts over the next 10 years.
Indianz.Com
Chuck Hoskin Jr.
is the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian
tribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the
Cherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from
1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe’s
Secretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the
Cherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.
Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
Native America Calling: A sample of Native Guitars Tour 2024
Native America Calling: How Native literature is changing the mainstream narrative
Native America Calling: No ordinary animal
Native America Calling: Safeguards on Artificial Intelligence
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation takes the lead for our environment
Native America Calling: Earth Day assessment for Native peoples
Cronkite News: Gathering addresses ‘epidemic’ among Native people
VIDEO: Cody Desautel on tribes and federal forest management
AUDIO: Legislative Hearing on Discussion Draft of Forest Management Bill
Native America Calling: Remembering the 1974 Navajo border town murders
Native America Calling: Can the right approach close the Native immunization gap?
Cronkite News: Long COVID cases remain high in Arizona
Native America Calling: Eyes in the sky for development, public safety, and recreation
Native America Calling: Three new films offer diverse views of Native life
More Headlines
Native America Calling: How Native literature is changing the mainstream narrative
Native America Calling: No ordinary animal
Native America Calling: Safeguards on Artificial Intelligence
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation takes the lead for our environment
Native America Calling: Earth Day assessment for Native peoples
Cronkite News: Gathering addresses ‘epidemic’ among Native people
VIDEO: Cody Desautel on tribes and federal forest management
AUDIO: Legislative Hearing on Discussion Draft of Forest Management Bill
Native America Calling: Remembering the 1974 Navajo border town murders
Native America Calling: Can the right approach close the Native immunization gap?
Cronkite News: Long COVID cases remain high in Arizona
Native America Calling: Eyes in the sky for development, public safety, and recreation
Native America Calling: Three new films offer diverse views of Native life
More Headlines