Indian Gaming > Deputy blames crack epidemic on casino per cap

November 08, 2004

Deputy blames crack epidemic on casino per cap

The sheriff's deputy in Isabella County, Michigan, says members of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe are using their casino per capita checks to pay for their expensive drug habits.

Deputy Kevin Dush Sr. blames the crack epidemic on tribal members. “Our No. 1 drug problem in this county is the crack epidemic that is fueled by the per-cap checks,” he told Central Michigan Life.

Dush and other law enforcement officials say drug dealers know tribal members have a lot of money. “Yes, there were individuals targeting Native Americans for the per-cap checks,” an officer on a drug task force says.

Police say they found a methamphetamine lab on the reservation and that drug dealers are selling meth to tribal members.

Get the Story:
Police: Tribal casino profits lure drugs (Central Michigan Life 11/8)

Relevant Links:
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe - http://www.sagchip.org