DRUG EPIDEMIC - Special Edition

CONTENT WARNING:

This newsletter contains articles and information about drug addiction, alcoholism, trauma and where to find help. Parents are advised to review this information carefully. If you are struggling with drug addiction or alcoholism and want help, please reach out to the Seneca Nation Behavioral Health Unit: Cattaraugus (716) 532-5583 or Allegany (716) 945-9001. HELP IS […]

DRUG EPIDEMIC - Special Edition

A Message From President Pagels

Nya:wëh sgë:nö’. I want to thank the Seneca Nation Drug Taskforce for developing this special edition of the newsletter, and also for working to raise awareness about the ongoing drug epidemic that has been plaguing our communities for years. The societal pressures and temptations facing our people – particularly our youth – have never been […]

DRUG EPIDEMIC - Special Edition

A Message From Treasurer Armstrong

In August of 2020, a group of Seneca mothers gathered in front of a residence on Route 438, on the Cattaraugus Territory, in protest of illegal drug activity. That was the formation of the Seneca Mothers Against Drugs (S.M.A.D.). In September of 2020, the Council established the Seneca Nation Drug Taskforce (SNDT), to address the […]

DRUG EPIDEMIC - Special Edition

A Message From Our Council

Submitted by: Seneca Nation Councillors The drug epidemic has ravaged families within our community resulting in far too many untimely deaths and causing considerable heartbreak and sorrow. Council is committed to confronting this epidemic and we believe that a broad community-based approach is necessary to stop the death, destruction, and anguish. Council has taken action […]

DRUG EPIDEMIC - Special Edition

Am I an Addict?

Only you can answer this question… This may not be an easy thing to do. All through our usage, we told ourselves, “I can handle it.” Even if this was true in the beginning, it is not so now. The drugs handled us. We lived to use and used to live. Very simply, an addict […]

DRUG EPIDEMIC - Special Edition

Drug-Related Overdoses And Deaths

The Seneca Nation has experienced an alarming number of opioid-related deaths. In the past three years there have been 17 recorded deaths for the city of Salamanca, the Cattaraugus Territory, and the Allegany Territory; 14 of those 17 deaths (82.4 %) were Native American individuals. The Seneca Nation’s Cattaraugus Territory experienced an increased number of […]