White Earth Band Concerned About Rise in Opioid Deaths

The White Earth Band of Chippewa and the Reservation Business Committee have noticed a rise in deaths from opioid overdoses.  The White Earth Band says there are many reasons for this increase, including using alone, using after a break in using and using another drug that was unexpectedly cut with fentanyl.  In light of this recent rise in opioid related deaths, the White Earth Band says it will begin new support efforts; such as reminders to not use alone and to check meth for fentanyl, holding village information meetings to describe available services, beginning a pilot program to provide harm reduction training and Narcan kits to those about to be released from jail, and other street level interventions suggested by concerned community members.