Wisconsin Health News

Ned Daniels Jr., chairman of the Forest County Potawatomi Community, called for more action on the opioid epidemic during the annual State of the Tribes address Tuesday.

“We must maintain a sharp focus on improving the lives of those we represent in the new decade as we grapple with the responsibility of addressing complex changes before us,” he told lawmakers. “And there is no challenge more complex than that of the opioid epidemic.”

The crisis has hit native communities across the state especially hard, Daniels said.

“Opioids are tearing apart our communities,” he said. “One by one, they are killing our people. They are leaving our families devastated, and our young ones without parents.”

Daniels thanked Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, and other lawmakers for their work on the Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education Agenda.

He said it’s important that the approaches aren’t “one size fits all" and allow native communities to provide treatment according to their cultural beliefs.

He noted there are few places that provide such treatment, leading Wisconsin tribes to work on developing a youth wellness and treatment center.

They plan to locate the facility centrally between the tribal nations where it'll be a hub for children needing treatment. Lawmakers have supported the project.

“This facility has the potential to do great things, and we hope that you will continue to work with us on this endeavor,” he said.