Meth: Raising awareness on Cheyenne River
“Our community has been battling drugs and alcohol for generations,” said Jerri, Outreach Coordinator. “But recently, methamphetamines have become a major epidemic on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Not a lot of community members know how harmful and disruptive this drug can be.”
Presentations by Cheyenne River Indian Outreach Staff in schools and community centers touched on:
- The effects meth has on a user’s brain
- How to identify behaviors of a person who may be using
- Long-term effects on mental and physical health
- Failure to succeed in a normal life setting and escalated crime rate
Information was also provided about how harmful meth can be to family members who are exposed to the drug, and the support needed to help encourage users to stop using.
“As a family member of a recovering meth addict, it’s really important to me to help provide information, resources and support to community members seeking help for themselves or loved ones,” said Jerri. “I would personally estimate, in my experience dealing with this specific topic, that 75% of our community members are unaware of the damages methamphetamines can do, to not only a person or a family, but to our community.”
In 2015, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council took strong action against drugs in their communities. A resolution was passed stating anyone convicted in state, tribal or federal court of distributing, manufacturing, or trafficking methamphetamine and/or any narcotic drug would be immediately dis-enrolled or banished for life from the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
In a press release, CRST Tribal Chairman Harold C. Frazier stated, “This resolution will send a message to those who are thinking about bringing meth to Cheyenne River.”
Other topics covered by our Outreach Coordinators include dating violence, domestic violence and human trafficking. Thank you for supporting Cheyenne River Indian Outreach — together, we are changing lives for the better!