Native Americans officials dealing with methamphetamine problems

It's a devastating drug that's contaminated almost every corner of America. Now, tribal leaders say methamphetamine is invading Indian Country. <br/><br/>It's one focus of the National Congress

Wednesday, November 2nd 2005, 5:56 am

By: News On 6

It's a devastating drug that's contaminated almost every corner of America. Now, tribal leaders say methamphetamine is invading Indian Country.

It's one focus of the National Congress of American Indians' annual convention being held in downtown Tulsa. Health care workers say methamphetamine is destroying Native American families.

Cherokee Nation officials say the drug plays a role in 99-percent of the tribe's child abuse or neglect cases. The number of meth labs found on reservations is on the rise across the country. Jay Barton with the National American Indian Housing Council: â€œrather than turn our back on the problem and act like it's gonna go away, we need to take the bull by the horns and start getting aggressive."

Tribal officials say education is the key. They hope building support systems and empowering people at the community level will give them the tools to solve the meth problem.