Underage
Drinking: Success Stories
Oklahoma – May 30, 2003
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With support from the OJJDP
Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws Initiative, community organizations, enforcement agencies, youth, and other concerned citizens are working collaboratively to
change local ordinances and enforcement practices.
Pawnee Nation Tribal Council Takes Stand on Underage Drinking
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The Pawnee Nation Tribal Council passed an ?Underage Drinking
Policy? at their February 21, 2003 Tribal Council Meeting, which is the
first ever for their tribe.
The Pawnee Nation is a tribe with more than 2500 members. The Pawnee
Nation Reservation is located one mile east of the town of Pawnee,
Oklahoma.
Like rural areas everywhere else, the Nation faces a growing underage
drinking problem. ?They?re drinking because there?s not a lot else to do,?
says Stephen Wall, Tribal Justice Consultant for American Indian
Development Associates. Wall points to a lack of activities and
opportunities for youth as a prime factor in the prevalence of underage
drinking. The alcohol, he says, comes primarily from family members,
including parents and adult siblings.
Until recently, underage drinking was not considered cause for alarm by
the Nation?s leaders. Alcohol is completely banned in the Pawnee Nation,
which was considered sufficient policy to address underage drinking.
However, that attitude began to change after number of alcohol-related car
crashes claimed the lives of youth and adults in the community. Concerned,
the Nation applied for and received Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL)
funding that had been earmarked specifically for the Native American
community.
To help them direct their efforts, American Indian Development Associates
(AIDA) representative, Stephen Wall began providing the Nation with
training and technical assistance. He encouraged tribal leaders to make a
formal statement of policy regarding underage drinking, and helped them
draft an appropriate resolution. The Pawnee Nation Task Force was formed
to assist in the effort. The Task Force consists of the City of Pawnee
Police Chief, the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma (PNO) Police Chief and staff,
Pawnee High School Peace Makers, CASA, CHR Program, PNO SAP, PNO ICW, PNO
Education, Title VI, PNO Chairman.
The new underage drinking policy gives the Pawnee National Tribal Court
the authority to impose rules, laws and regulations to help implement the
much needed policy for the Pawnee Nation to address youth and adult
providers of alcohol.
According to team member June Hamilton, ?The Pawnee Nation Task Force team
takes a strong stand to continue combating underage drinking.? Tribal and
local law enforcement are working together to change and update juvenile
codes, as well as to raise awareness within the tribal community. All of
this working together as a community and a tribal reservation will help
save the lives of our Pawnee Nation?, says June Hamilton.
For more information, contact
June Hamilton at 918-762-3676, or Stephen Wall
American Indian Development Associates at (505)842-1122
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