American Indian Report - June 2008 - (Page 22)

H E A LT H Spreading the Word National ad campaign launched to educate Native Americans on meth By Michelle Tirado TRIBES HAVE WORKED FURIOUSLY in their own communities to get the word out on methamphetamine, how it destroys lives and culture. Now, through the National Congress of American Indians and with support from a slew of partners, they are coming together to spread the word throughout Indian Country. The message is being sent via a national ad campaign, launched in April by NCAI in cooperation with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the U.S. Department of the Interior. In the form of a series of free, public service radio and print ads, the goal is to reduce usage of this deadly drug among American Indians and Alaska Natives by raising awareness. While just about all illegal drugs have infiltrated tribal communities, none has been more devastating than meth. The usage rate among American Indians and Alaska Natives is almost three times higher than the rate for whites and four times higher than the rate for Latinos, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Bureau of Indian Affairs reports that over 70 percent of tribes say meth is the drug that poses the greatest threat to their communities. It also says that at least 40 percent of violent crimes in Indian Country are meth-related. Joe Garcia, president of NCAI and chairman of New Mexico’s All Indian Pueblo Council, said upon the launch of the campaign, “This deadly drug is hurting our Native communities, and through the effort, NCAI is committed to saving our Native youth and families from 22 June 2008 American Indian Report http://www.ncai.org/meth/ http://www.ncai.org/meth/ http://www.drugfree.org http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov http://www.doi.gov http://www.doi.gov http://www.cdc.gov/ http://www.cdc.gov/ http://www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of American Indian Report - June 2008

American Indian Report - June 2008 Contents Ethics & Standards of Conduct: Governing Work Habits of Elected Officials Congress: Activity on the Hill Catching Up with the Curve Grants: Police Equipment Assistance from the Federal Government The Pottery Project Neighbors Helping Neighbors Where They Belong Spreading the Word “Poverty is Not a Part of Our Culture” Strategic Planning: Step 1 — An Assessment of Now Saving the Samala Language

American Indian Report - June 2008

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