California tribes fight opioid crisis with casino donations
A California tribe is donating funds generated by a casino resort north of Fresno to help combat the ongoing opioid crisis that affects locals more than the public.
The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians said they recently donated $36,000 to the Fresno Police Chief's Foundation to purchase several K-9s specifically for fentanyl testing. The dogs will join the Fentanyl Overdose Response Team, which is comprised of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Fresno County District Attorney's Office, the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, the Fresno The Norfolk Police Department and Clovis Police are assisting.
Fentanyl is killing people around the world and in our communities. Laurie Arriaga, vice president of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, said the Centers for Disease Control reported that Native communities had the highest drug overdose death rates in 2020 and 2021 . “Such programs will save thousands of lives, but we must also work together to continue implementing other impactful initiatives to combat this pandemic.”
More than 107,000 people died from drug overdoses last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than two-thirds (68%) of these deaths were caused by synthetic opioids other than methadone, with “illicitly manufactured fentanyl” being the leading cause.
California Crisis
Nearly every state in the United States is battling an opioid crisis, with large amounts of illegally manufactured synthetic drugs entering the country through the southern border.
In 2021, the CDC's latest breakdown of drug overdose deaths by state shows that California had the most drug overdose deaths, with 10,901. West Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kentucky and Delaware have the most deaths per 100,000 residents.
West Virginia reported 91 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents in 2021, well ahead of Tennessee, which had 57 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents.
Black market opioids continue to burden society, and the problem is only getting worse in many states.
In California, opioid-related deaths increased 131% compared to 2019. Native Americans are one of the groups hardest hit by the drug crisis, said tribal officials from the Picayune Ranch of the Chuukkanse Indians.
"Public education campaigns are critical to raising awareness about the risks of opioid abuse, signs of overdose, and the proper use of naloxone. As a tribe, we are committed to reducing stigma, expanding knowledge, and encouraging people to seek help for themselves and their loved ones ," Arriaga said.
The Arriaga Tribe owns and operates the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, a major economic engine for the Tribe. The casino spans 73,000 square feet and features 2,000 slot machines and 40 gaming tables. The casino hotel offers over 400 rooms.
Opioid Disorders Program
The National Institutes of Health is currently conducting research to develop intervention and support programs to benefit American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
We need a more holistic view that goes beyond individual biology. We need to properly integrate culture, social factors and even spirituality into mainstream medical settings and training,” said Kamilla Venner, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Mexico and a member of the Attna Athabasca Tribe .
An 18-member collaborative committee overseeing the NIH project is comprised of tribal leaders and elders, opioid disorder treatment providers in tribal communities, and drug researchers.
Read also:
- Games Industry Research: Carbon Emissions of Top Video Games
- U.S. cities with the most Swifties per capita
- Blackjack Casino Advantage: How to Beat the Odds
- Football 101: What is relegation in football?
Source: www.casino.org
