The U.S. Department of Justice is awarding $273 million to 149 tribes, including several in Oregon. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, it’s to help improve public safety.
$3.3 million of the money is going to six Oregon tribes including the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.
Deputy Press Secretary Sara Thompson says they’re getting nearly $850,000 to combat drug use.
“It will allow the tribe to hire a meth and opioids coordinator that will work on the preventative end," Thompson tells KLCC.
"Working with the community on the dangers of these drugs. It will also allow us to expand our treatment options. Things like counseling services and post-treatment support so that we can help our tribal members, and those in their households.”
Data is limited, but a National Survey on Drug Use and Health for 2002 through 2005 showed Native Americans 12 years and older were more likely to use illicit drugs than other groups.
Copyright 2019, KLCC.
