Native America Calling: Native people left out of progress on overdose deaths

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Wednesday, February 26, 2025

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Native Americans left out of progress on overdose deaths

The good news is overdose deaths dropped significantly in the most recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The bad news is Native Americans and other people of color are not enjoying the same statistical headway against the persistent scourge of fentanyl, heroin, and other dangerous drugs.

Join Native America Calling to look at the efforts that are showing promise in saving people’s lives and explore ways to eliminate disparities for populations that are losing ground.

Drug Overdose Deaths

In 2022 and 2023, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths was highest among American Indians and Alaska Natives, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, a unit of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Source: Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2003–2023 (NCHS Data Brief No. 522, December 2024)

Guests on Native America Calling

Philomena Kebec (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians), economic development coordinator for the Bad River Tribe, headquartered in Wisconsin

Adam Fairbanks (White Earth Nation), executive director of Anishinaabe Endaad, a Native housing housing organization in Minnesota

Harold Peralto (Navajo), certified peer support worker for New Mexico Behavior Health Services Division’s Office of Peer Recovery and Engagement

George Green (Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska), certified peer recovery specialist for the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis in Minnesota