Emergency Meeting Called Regarding Drug Concerns

On February 7th a meeting was held at the Tribal Office concerning the increased reports of drug use and abuse at LCO and its effects on LCO children. During the past several months, the LCO Indian Child Welfare Department has been flooded with reports of parents using synthetic drugs, prescription drugs, heroin and methamphetamines. Statistics show that during this time 115 child protection intakes came in to either ICW or Sawyer County Child Protection Departments. Of these 115 referrals that were obtained, 81 of them required full investigations which resulted in 32 children taken into protective custody and placed in relative kinship care or foster care. Of the 32 children taken into protective custody, 94% were related to significant drug abuse by the parent and child abandonment issues. On the average, during a 4 month period perhaps 10 children may be taken into custody. This past quarter shows a 200% increase in children being removed from their homes – which indicates that we are in a crisis situation due to drug abuse by parents. The amount of child protection intakes from December – present continue to be substantial with an average of 15 intakes being screened in per week and the investigations into abuse and neglect of children has not slowed down. Clearly, the Child Protection Workers from ICW as well as Sawyer County are considered to be in continued crisis-mode.

What we are seeing is a significant increase in the use of synthetic drugs (bath salts & synthetic marijuana) which presently, does not show up on our drug screens however, it is evident that parents under the influence of these drugs are incapable of taking proper care of their children. It should be noted that ICW DOES NOT remove children unless there is just cause for the removal and that it has been determined that children are in danger or continued placement with the parent could result in serious harm to the child. We do everything we can to prevent children being removed from the home and once they are, ICW Case Workers provide active efforts and work with the parent to reunify. Unfortunately, if parents are unwilling to get the help they need to ensure a safe and sober living environment for their children, many remain in out of home care for longer periods of time.

As we look at these staggering statistics and how our LCO children are being affected by the significant amount of drugs being used and distributed on our Reservation, it is evident that this problem cannot be tackled alone by ICW or Law Enforcement. This is a community-wide problem and all need to work together to shut down the ever-increasing infiltration of drugs which are also filtering down to our young people. Sawyer County Sheriff Mark Kelsey reports that “this is not a problem specific within the Reservation boundaries. This is a Sawyer County problem and we need to work with all agencies and the community has to be on board in order to start shutting the drug distributors down”!

Dianne Sullivan, Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor who is currently employed as the Prevention Education Specialist for the Family Service Program provided the following information. Synthetic Marijuana is a “designer drug” typically produced in China and Asian countries and shipped to the United States. A designer drug is produced by “a minor modification in the chemical structure of an existing drug” (dictionary.com). Many people mistakenly believe that synthetic marijuana is from the plant species, Cannabis Sativa or Cannabis Indica but it isn’t. It is typically dried leaves from some of the most common plants grown in the area it comes from. The dried leaves are spread on tarps and literally sprayed with a combination of chemicals. It is then packaged in small packages and shipped to the United States. The most common brand names are K2, Spice, and Drone. Parents and other concerned persons are encouraged to do a Google search for images to see how it is typically packaged and distributed. They may be packaged as “plant food”, “incense” or “potpourri”. Synthetic marijuana is usually smoked. “Bath Salts” are another reported drug being sold and used on the reservation. They are a legal alternative to Cocaine, amphetamines and Ecstasy. The most common brand names are White Lady, Bliss, Ivory Wave, White Rush, and Cloud 9. They are typically packaged in very small zip lock baggies, foil packages or small bottles or jars. Baths Salts are usually snorted, smoked, or injected. Again, a Google search for images will show you what they look like.

All of these products are labeled, “Not for human consumption”. There are state laws banning some of these chemicals, making them illegal. But manufacturer simply changes the chemicals they use, even slightly to get around the laws. There is a federal law banning these drugs, however, state laws do not make them illegal. Presently, there is pending legislation in the State of Wisconsin banning these chemicals and all its analogs, so local law enforcement agencies will be able to arrest anyone selling or possessing these chemicals. The tribe may be able to consider ordinances to address the use of these drugs as LCO is federal land and there is already federal law prohibiting the sale and possession.

It is important to understand that these drugs are not safe and haven’t had any sort of quality control testing to ensure their safe use. The combination of chemicals changes constantly as they are made illegal and no one can guarantee what the outcome of use will be. There have been reported deaths from overdoses and suicides as a result. Users are typically described as being extremely paranoid, aggressive, agoraphobic (anxiety/panic attacks), insomniac, and suicidal. There are several YouTube videos that show people under the influence of these drugs and the effects are very disturbing.

A tribal/county task force is being formed to address the issues of synthetic drug use in Sawyer County and LCO. The meeting held with TGB members, Human Services/ICW providers and Law Enforcement on February 7th presented basic information on synthetic drugs and highlighted the concerns about drug endangered children, potential abuse, abandonment and neglect, as well as the health concerns of those ingesting these potentially lethal drug combinations.

An educational forum addressing “The Latest Drug Trends Affecting the LCO Tribe and Sawyer County Communities” is being planned for March 20th at 6:00 p.m. at the LCO Convention Center. It is hoped that we have a great turn-out so the community can learn more about these drug problems that are nearing epidemic levels. Sadly, if people do not start coming together to address the issue – it is alarming to even think how this will continue to adversely affect the future of our children. For more information on the Drug Forum to be held on March 20th, please contact Dianne Sullivan at 715-634-8934.