Despite the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s economic success — its annual revenues from gaming operations and other enterprises is around $1.4 billion — alcohol and drug abuse plague its young people, according to an article published by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Sept. 28.
With the year not even over, 17 Seminole tribal members have died in 2008, and alcohol or drug use is linked to 11 of these deaths, whether it be car crashes or suicide, the Sun-Sentinel reported. The 27-year-old daughter of Tribal Councilman David Cypress, who died in a car crash last spring, is among the fatalities.
Each of the tribe’s 3,300 members receive about $120,000 a year, free education and a guaranteed job, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
Over the last 10 years, the life expectancy of Seminole people has dropped from 59.7 years to 48.5 years, according to the paper, citing the state's Bureau of Vital Statistics as the source of these statistics. The average life expectancy for all Floridians is 73. Is the low rate related to substance abuse?
Although the tribe did not officially comment on the death rate of its members, a few members were interviewed and had insight to share on the substance abuse issue, including Jarrid Smith, 23, who said, “I'm not sure the tribe is doing enough to address the problem."
What is this world coming to seriously.......it's not just the Seminole Tribe it's all Native communities. Getting Per Capita's is a good but bad thing. I know for my own tribe it's a bad thing cause the ones that don't work tend to become reliant on those checks instead of looking for jobs. We don't get all that much majority of our Casino money goes toward repairing our buildings and fixing up our Rez and from just a few years ago it really is looking really good!
ReplyDeleteLet us help you!! Faith Step-First Step
ReplyDeleteRev James McLaughlin
713-539-9409
I travel all over the country to help people get off of drugs drug-free!!!
I THINK THAT ITS LIKE THAT ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES (INDIAN COUNTRY). FOR TRIBES THAT ARE GIVING OUT ANNUAL PERCAPITA TO THEIR MEMBERS. I AM FROM THE WEST COAST AND I HAVE BEEN READING UP ON OTHER INDIAN GAMING PERCAPITA PAY OUTS AND THE AFFECTS THAT THE MONEY HAS ON THE YOUTH (12-17) AND THE YOUNG ADULTS (18-25) THE DRUG USE IS AT A ALL TIME HIGH THE ALCOHOL USE IS THROUGH THE ROOF AND THE CRIME JUST KEEPS CLIMBING ON INDIAN LAND WHETHER IT IS GANG VIOLENCE OR OR WHAT I CALL BEING "DRUNK OR DRUG STUPID" I HATE TO WRITE THIS BUT ITS THE TRUTH. INDIAN COUNTRY CAN PROMOTE DRUG AWARENESS AND ALCOHOL ABUSE TO THE FULLEST BUT THE YOUTH NOW ARE SO CAUGHT UP IN IT ITS LIKE A PLAGUE ESPECIALLY MARAJUANA IT IS THE YOUTHS DRUG OF CHIOCE THEN FOLLOWED BY BOOZE. HERE IN THE WEST COAST WE ARE SUFFERING THE SAME DAMN THING AND WE HAVE NOBODY TO BLAME BUT OURSELVES AS PARENTS FOR BEING OVER PROTECTIVE OR JUST NOT CARING. ITS NOT LIKE THE OLD DAYS WERE YOU TOOK A GOOD HARD WHIPPING IF YOU WERE CAUGHT DRINKING OR SMOKING. THEN I KNEW MY DAD MENT BUSINESS. NOW SOME KIDS ARE TAUGHT TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL 911 AND REPORT "ABUSE". SO IF ANY ONE HAS THE CURE PLEASE WRITE UP ON IT AND POST IT ON THE "AIR BLOG" AS WE ALL ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.
ReplyDeleteThe Tribal Problem is Rising could have been for many of years my Greatparents and Grandmother were Cherookee Indians but my Grandfather and Mother is Black, so i know some native ways but althought it was father choice not to expose his children to such behavior becuase to the jehovah witness religion he chose but i am not dumb and stupid by a long shot i have cousins who live in north carolina which i regualary speak to about such behavior i tell them such using the rez as a excuse for your behavior especially when i detect and know they get's pleasure out of being under the influence of a controlled substance, so if they think the feds control them look at their behavior and i said you make a chose.
ReplyDeleteThe young people of Seminole tribe must undergo education on how to avoid alcohol and drug abuse. It is an alarming issue, so the tribe elders must also do something before the situation worsens.
ReplyDelete