New Bill on Meth

[Sandra Akins]

What are your views on those needing your help with drugs and alcohol?
Will you treat all Osages needing help or only a select group?
Are you considering working with the Osage County District (Drug) court?
Do you have continued education in all forms of drug and alcohol abuse?
What is your thoughts on the new Meth. Bill?
Do you believe it to be complete, or do you have suggestions, which I would like to know?
Sandra

[shellylynn40]

My view on those needing help is as important now as it has always been on helping those with drugs and alcohol...I wish we had more bed space so that we would not have a waiting list for them. When someone asks for help it is hard to say we do not have a place available you will be placed on our waiting list, this is our inpatient and our out paitent we get them assessed and where they need the most help at.

We treat all Osages and if they need inpatient and we have a waiting list they are placed at the top of the list. If they do not feel comfortable being here because they live in this town, then we work to place them somewhere else to recieve the help they need.

We are working with the Court to get the Drug Court started here in Osage County. We have been involved with it from the beginnning. We already work with the Department of Corrections.

One of our goals with the coming new year is to get the Drug Education part into the schools in Osage County. We do offer Drug and Alcohol Education to our clients.

The Meth Bill is the first step in many to work towards trying to deal with the problem that Meth does to the individual, family and community. It is a problem that will need everyones help.

[Sandra Akins]

Thank you for your response and concerns.
We all must remember this has been declaired an emergcy within our bounderies!
I believe it is not to early to begin the research and put into action our common goals to initiate a drug and achohol treatment center with experienced staff to treat our people as individuals and treatment plans designed for their specific needs with continued outpatient treatment plans.
You may believe this is an unreachable goal. I have faith we can achieve this goal, But we must not stop there this should be available for all our membered people. I know this is a very costly indeavor and we can achieve this goal for our future and be a model for other tribes to follow.
I am not personally involved with your task force and that is fine with me, however, I am researching this on my own because I believe in our future as a Nation of peoples. With the help of other organizations we can and will succeed.
Your views are appreciated.

[Kelly M. Bray]

Shelleylyn40, what is your official position with the tribe? Do you have a listing in the tribal directory for future contact? Thank you very much.

[Sandra Akins]

First I want to Thank you for your question.
My official position is as a non shareholder member of the Osage Naiton. I am not an employee, but a very concerned citizen believing in good and most particulatly an honest government for the tribe as a Nation and not just for a few. As we do not have a formal citizens group to voice our concerns and ask questions of our elected officials, I simply ask my and other peoples questions and concerns, as I have for several years. I am honest and expect others to be, expecially those that are making decisions for all of us and the future of our Nation. I hope this answers your question.

[Kelly M. Bray]

Thank you for your answer Ms Akins. I think you misunderstood my question. I was asking the person who told you about the drug treatment programs current status. They seemed like they worked at the counseling center, and I wondered who they were. Thanks again.

[Sandra Akins]

Shelly, I have not received any information from the counciling center, these are all my questions that came from my research which I am continuing on my own. I have spoken with Congresswoman Littleton on several issues that I have with the recent meth. bill.
You may e-mail me directly @ osageslalu@sbcglobal.net if you want to discuss anything with me. Sandra

p.s. I am very glad someone is listening and hearing my issues and concerns pertaining for the tribe and our future. Thank You so much.