Native News Online Moderatis for drug overdoses in the Indian country Live Stream

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From Kaili Berg

May 16, 2025

On May 15th, Native News Online organized a live stream event. Reduce reduction in deaths for overdoses in the Indian countryMerging of tribal ladders, health representatives and relaxation experts to tackle one of the most urgent public health crises in today's local communities.

The live stream contained real stories, proven strategies and called for measures, especially since the most important federal financing for opioid programs are exposed to potential cuts.

Native News Online organized the live stream due to the high rates of deaths in drug overdose in tribal communities in the entire Indian country.

Key statistics:

• In 2023, the United States recorded a total acceptance of the overdose death by 10% – the largest decline in decades.
• Despite this decline, the overdose rate of those born in the USA and Alaska rose (AI/An).
• The overdosing rate of Minnesota was 145 per 100,000 in 2023 and took third place in the nation.
• Overdosing rates for the Alamo Navajo reserve in New Mexico rose by 306% in one year and reached six times the six -fold

During the live stream in an interview with the online editor of the local news, Levi Rickert, Cherokee Nation Chef Chuck Hoskin Jr. called the Federal Government for the suggestions for important budget cuts that would affect the health and addiction services of the tribal size.

“When we lose money, we lose the ground,” said Hoskin. “It's not just about addiction, but also about generations of trauma caused by federal politics. If the federal government has contributed to creating the problem, you should help to remedy this.”

Hoskin emphasized the investment of Cherokee Nation in the amount of $ 100 million in Opioid settlement funds to build a new drug treatment center without relying on federal dollars.

He also noticed the success of the country's damage reduction, which served almost 6,000 people and enabled access to naloxone, recovery support and education.

“We sued the opioid industry. We paid it. And we use this money to build healing,” said Hoskin.

Another key voice was Milton Dallas Jr., a citizen of the Onida nation Wisconsin and founder of RX Destroyer. His company provides tribal nations as preventive tools, with drug disposal kits, with unused medication from medical cupboards and not within reach.

Dallas, who lost the relatives through addiction, said he had entered the “drug destruction business” to protect the next seven generations.

“Let us do the Feds every day in local communities,” said Dallas JR .. “Our people stick to unused medication, and bad actors use that. We have to change behavior through education.”

The Kits and Programs of RX Destroyer are now used by tribal apartment authorities, police authorities, clinics and schools throughout the Indian country.

The Live Stream, which was moderated by Elise Wild, editor of the local news online -senior Health Equity editor, contained discussion participants who shared how the crisis developed in their communities and what is working on fighting against him.

Samantha McGee from the Choctaw Nation explained how tribal leaders acted early, started a naloxone program in 2015 and later expanded with a federal grant to train first aiders in 10 counties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jus5dhflacg

This financing, she warned, is now at risk. It would be an important setback for rural communities that already have to deal with access to emergency care.

Raquel Ramos, a Comanche Nation Prevention Specialist, said that in 2013 she first saw signs of the crisis when local data showed that local girls abuse prescription opioids with a higher rate than boys. It became clear that young people used opioids to deal with pain and trauma.

She said that her current work focuses on prevention, cultural education and strengthening of young people and families through sensitization campaigns that speak directly to the local identity.

Clayton Clark, a peer recovery specialist from Choctaw Nation, told his personal story to use opioids to deal with fighting fights. Now six years after recovery, he works to help others find the same way.

Steve Knockwood, a cultural healing lawyer in Wabanaki's territory, spoke of being born addicted and finding healing through cultural re -connection, land, drumming, welding huts and traditional practices.

Arlene Brown, who leads Harm Reduction Services in Skoden in Skoden in California, said her team uses a no-barrier approach to reach people where they are.

“We love them until they can love themselves,” said Brown.

Your program is not waiting for people to ask for help, but rather resources, case management and cultural support directly to your front door.

“Our ancestors have no genocide and boarding school just survived just so that we die from drug abuse such as opioids and alcohol,” said Rickert.

Native News Online will organize a second part of this series on October 17, 2025.

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