Tribe pledges $500,000 against meth

BOISE – The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has pledged $500,000 to the Idaho Meth Project, and three other Idaho tribes also committed to support the effort to deter first-time methamphetamine use in the state.

“We recognize the impact that methamphetamine has on our state, and Native American tribes have not been immune from the devastating effects of this incredibly addictive drug,” said Coeur d’Alene Tribe Chairman Chief J. Allan. “As a result, it only made sense for us to partner with the state and private sector in a coordinated prevention and public awareness initiative to protect our young people from this drug.”

Gov. Butch Otter and state Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, chairman of the Idaho Indian Affairs Council, welcomed the donation.

Otter and first lady Lori Otter said in a statement, “This generous financial commitment is part of the continuing determination of Idaho tribes to play a positive and constructive role in our communities.”

The governor and first lady launched the Idaho Meth Project, modeled after a similar effort in Montana, to target first-time meth use and raise awareness of the drug’s serious impacts.

The project, which is affiliated with the United Way, includes a private fundraising campaign to pay for polling, a media campaign and more.

Jorgenson, who is the project’s North Idaho fundraising chairman, said the Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock and Kootenai tribes also have committed to financially support the project.