{"id":31017,"date":"2023-04-17T04:01:43","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T08:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/2023\/04\/17\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-continues-to-fight-the-opioid-crisis\/"},"modified":"2023-07-31T18:15:50","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T22:15:50","slug":"chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-continues-to-fight-the-opioid-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2023\/04\/17\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-continues-to-fight-the-opioid-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation continues to fight the opioid crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2023\/04\/17\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-continues-to-fight-the-opioid-crisis\/general-session-of-inter-tribal-council-2023\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-31648\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/31\/ChuckHoskin.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Hoskin Jr.\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31648\" \/><\/a> <figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Chuck Hoskin Jr. serves as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. He is seen here during a meeting of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Tribes in Thackerville, Oklahoma, on April 14, 2023. Photo: <a href=https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/posts\/pfbid02z4rcrf71FXZjdvWrouCndGqCDUzfnG2siGfHEg7Ynweq1W1xdwZWVEvVJgtAdjp5l>Cherokee Nation<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">We must preserve telemedicine options to fight the opioid crisis<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Monday, April 17, 2023<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"byline\">By Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. <A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\"><I aria-hidden=true class=\"fab fa-twitter\"><\/I><\/A><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source\">Cherokee Nation<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source-links\"><A \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/www.cherokee.org\/\">cherokee.org<\/A><\/div>\r\n<p><\/p> \r\nOne of my most urgent priorities as Chief of the Cherokee Nation has been combatting the opioid epidemic. \r\n<p><\/p>\r\nThe opioid industry flooded Cherokee communities with these dangerous drugs. Overdose deaths more than doubled among Cherokee citizens between 2003 and 2014, and the fallout strained many of our tribal services, including clinics and emergency rooms, law enforcement and child welfare.\r\n <p><\/p> \r\nIn 2017, we were the first tribe in the nation to file a lawsuit against the opioid industry, and our <a href=https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2021\/09\/29\/cherokee-nation-reaches-75-million-settlement-in-opioid-case\/>$100 million settlement from that lawsuit is now being invested<\/a> in addiction care. The goal for these funds is to make treatment easily accessible, without judgment or unnecessary barriers, for every Cherokee who needs it.\r\n <p><\/p> \r\nThat\u2019s why I was disturbed to see a <a href=https:\/\/www.hklaw.com\/en\/insights\/publications\/2023\/03\/dea-proposes-new-telehealth-prescribing-rules>new proposed federal regulation that would increase barriers<\/a> for some of our most vulnerable patients. The <a href=https:\/\/www.dea.gov\/press-releases\/2023\/02\/24\/dea-announces-proposed-rules-permanent-telemedicine-flexibilities>proposal by the Drug Enforcement Administration would prevent telemedicine doctors<\/a> from prescribing controlled substances such as buprenorphine, a lifesaving medication for those struggling with opioid addiction. Without an in-person appointment, the proposed rule limits prescriptions of buprenorphine to a single 30-day supply. This change poses a severe risk to our citizens, especially those living in rural areas with limited access to transportation and resources.\r\n <p><\/p> \r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_indianz-com\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2023\/02\/06\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-confronts-opioid-epidemic\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/03\/cherokeenation-3.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation confronts opioid epidemic\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_title\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_title_link\" href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2023\/02\/06\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-confronts-opioid-epidemic\/\">\n\t\t\tChuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation confronts opioid epidemic\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2023\/02\/06\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-confronts-opioid-epidemic\/\">\n\t\t\t<p>For over two decades, the opioid epidemic has plagued the Cherokee Nation Reservation. It has affected every facet of our tribe and society.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_site_name\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"Indianz.Com\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tIndianz.Com\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nTelemedicine, the practice of connecting patients and medical professionals via phone and video calls, has been essential for reaching patients. New flexibilities for telemedicine were allowed during the COVID-19 public health emergency. However, with the emergency declaration expiring, some regulators are now attempting to make telemedicine more restrictive and less convenient.\r\n <p><\/p> \r\nThis makes little sense. Over the past few years, telemedicine has proven to be an extremely valuable and successful way to provide care, especially for behavioral health issues like addiction. It reduces waiting times for an appointment and increases flexibility for patients and providers alike.\r\n <p><\/p> \r\nFor example, many of our patients newly in recovery have recently found employment. Telemedicine appointments, which can be as short as 15 to 20 minutes, allow them to continue working and receive essential treatment during their breaks. Without this option, patients may be forced to take hours off work, jeopardizing their recovery journey.\r\n <p><\/p> \r\nQuick and easy access to a buprenorphine prescription is especially important in the early days of recovery. Buprenorphine can ease opioid withdrawal symptoms while blocking the ability for other opioids to cause an effect. But if a patient\u2019s buprenorphine access is disrupted, they face a very high risk of falling back into addiction with far more dangerous substances.\r\n <p><\/p> <div class=\"mt-1 mb-1\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8411603009680747\" data-ad-slot=\"6394965691\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div><p><\/p>\r\nThe DEA&#8217;s intention to catch over-prescribers by requiring an in-person appointment is misguided, as there is no evidence that a single in-person visit would reduce any misuse of buprenorphine. Unscrupulous over-prescribers will continue to find ways to exploit the system. Meanwhile, this additional hurdle inconveniences everyone.\r\n <p><\/p> \r\nAccess to telemedicine is a lifeline for many Cherokees, and we must protect it to keep up the fight against the opioid crisis. Cherokee Nation is among thousands of voices across health care and addiction recovery communities who are speaking out against this proposed rule. You can join us by writing to your members of Congress and President Biden.\r\n<p><\/p> \r\n<HR><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-3\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/23\/chuckhoskinavatar.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Hoskin Jr\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" class=\"rounded-circle\" \/><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-9\"><EM><A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\">Chuck Hoskin Jr.<\/A> \r\nis the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian \r\ntribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the \r\nCherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from \r\n1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe\u2019s \r\nSecretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the \r\nCherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.<\/EM><\/div><\/div><HR>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<div class=\"h4-responsive\">Related Stories<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2023\/02\/06\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-confronts-opioid-epidemic\/\" title=\"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation confronts opioid epidemic\">Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation confronts opioid epidemic<\/a> (February 6, 2023)<\/div><div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2022\/04\/04\/house-subcommittee-on-oversight-and-investigations-the-opioid-crisis-in-tribal-communities\/\" title=\"House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations: The Opioid Crisis in Tribal Communities\">House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations: The Opioid Crisis in Tribal Communities<\/a> (April 4, 2022)<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2021\/10\/04\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-settlement-with-opioid-distributors-will-save-lives\/\" title=\"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation settlement with opioid distributors will save lives\">Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation settlement with opioid distributors will save lives<\/a> (October 4, 2021)<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"related-story\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2021\/09\/29\/cherokee-nation-reaches-75-million-settlement-in-opioid-case\/\" title=\"Cherokee Nation reaches $75 million settlement in opioid case\">Cherokee Nation reaches $75 million settlement in opioid case<\/a> (September 29, 2021)<\/div> <a title=\"Cherokee Nation seeks to hold drug companies accountable for opioid epidemic\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2017\/12\/18\/cherokee-nation-seeks-to-hold-drug-compa.asp\">Cherokee Nation seeks to hold drug companies accountable for opioid epidemic<\/a> (December 18, 2017) <BR>\r\n <A \r\ntitle=\"Cherokee Nation ready to move forward with opioid lawsuit in tribal court system\" \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2017\/08\/10\/cherokee-nation-ready-to-move-forward-wi.asp\">Cherokee \r\nNation ready to move forward with opioid lawsuit in tribal court system<\/A> \r\n(August 10, 2017)<BR><A \r\ntitle=\"Bill John Baker: Cherokee Nation battles opioid epidemic among our people\" \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2017\/08\/02\/bill-john-baker-cherokee-nation-battles.asp\">Bill \r\nJohn Baker: Cherokee Nation battles opioid epidemic among our people <\/A>(August \r\n2, 2017)<BR><A \r\ntitle=\"Cherokee Nation details devastating impacts of opioid crisis in Oklahoma\" \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2017\/07\/25\/cherokee-nation-details-devastating-impa.asp\">Cherokee \r\nNation details devastating impacts of opioid crisis in Oklahoma <\/A>(July 25, \r\n2017)<BR><A \r\ntitle=\"Cherokee Nation blames pharmaceutical industry for opioid crisis\" \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/news\/2017\/04\/20\/cherokee-nation-blames-pharmaceutical-in.asp\">Cherokee \r\nNation blames pharmaceutical industry for opioid crisis<\/A> (April 20, 2017)","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Access to telemedicine is a lifeline for many Cherokees, and we must protect it to keep up the fight against the opioid 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