‘Reducing Drug Overdose Deaths in Indian Country’ A New Two-Part Live Stream Series
Since 1999, deaths due to drugs among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people have quadrupled, according to the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. The rates of death from drugs across Indian Country is of epidemic proportions. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, drug overdose death rates for Native Americans increased by 39 percent, the second-highest rate of increase behind African Americans. This is due to several factors, including geographic isolation, lack of access to healthcare, and historical trauma.
Overdoses from fentanyl, opioids, and other deadly drugs such as “tranq” are leading to loss of life and a decline in the health and well-being of tribal communities. In addition, the epidemic is contributing to the spread of infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis C. In meetings throughout Indian Country, tribal leaders, tribal health officials, and everyday tribal citizens are speaking out about this drug overdose epidemic across tribal communities on Indian reservations, rural, and urban areas.
“None of us are not affected by this crisis,” a Native health counselor told a Native News Online reporter in an article.. “When we talk about it, these are people we know — sisters, uncles, relatives. You’re connected to them in some way, and that is a lot of loss and grief for a community to bear.”
This is a significant health equity problem that is exacerbated by a lack of awareness or education about opioids, cultural resistance — or silence — when it comes to addiction, limited access to Indigenized harm-reduction programs, and scarce communication about resources that are available and culturally appropriate solutions to the problem. For decades, there has existed a health equity crisis in Indian Country — this important live stream series aims to raise further awareness about this crucial issue. For Native News Online, increasing health awareness among our five million readers is an ongoing mission.
The episodes will be hosted by Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), publisher and editor of Native News Online who hosts the publication’s weekly Native Bidaské. Rickert will be assistedby Elyse Wild, senior editor, and staff reporter Kaili Berg (Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Nation).
The live streams are sponsored by the Cherokee Nation, Running Strong for American Indian Youth, and Kauffman and Associates.
Cherokee Nation: https://www.cherokee.org/
Running Strong for American Indian Youth: https://indianyouth.org/
Kauffman and Associates Inc.: https://www.kauffmaninc.com/
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