Fight of their lives: White Earth leads way in opioid battle

The White Earth Reservation has been hard hit by the opioid epidemic, but the Ojibwe band north of Detroit Lakes has not taken the problem lying down, and in some ways has taken a leading role in fighting addiction.

"From rescue to long-term sobriety support, White Earth offers some of the best, most evidence-based, most effective, cutting-edge, and compassionate care in the multi-state region," said Carson Gardner, a doctor with the White Earth Tribal Health Department. "Many of our programs are considered model pilot programs by state agency leaders. White Earth was recently invited to the National Senate Indian Affairs Committee to talk about what we've done around opioid treatment. One of the most important things that can happen is to stop being paternalistic and thinking tribes don't have the capacity or ability to do it best."

http://www.dl-online.com/news/nation/4382382-fight-their-lives-white-earth-leads-way-opioid-battle