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• Reader Comments (11)

  Page 1 of 1 pages

  For these Indians to finally assimulate into the main culture? Sure gambling can be lucrative, but the downsides are so very big. . .

  Posted by isntItTime on Nov 9, 2004 at 5:26 PM

  Make allowances for the use of peyote, jimson weed or cannabis, and you will have far fewer problems with meth and its consequences.

  Posted by systematic on Nov 10, 2004 at 1:33 PM

  This makes me angry. I don’t think most people realize how screwed up the ripping off of Native American people have affected them. If they have problems with all these addictions its thanks to the environment this stupid deal of reservations have created. Imagine, what if they had placed the Europeans in reservations and the Native Americans ruled the continent? It’s not fair to do that to a people, especially if this was their land to begin with. These are teh consequences of their selfish, careless, GREEDY take over.

  Posted by sylvia on Nov 10, 2004 at 5:03 PM

  I couldn’t agree more Sylvia. The Indians have been screwed and not if you are not a right wing nut you are screwed too!

  Posted by Bev Harmon on Nov 10, 2004 at 9:12 PM

  What about all the people having ‘fun’ on meth or any other drug for that matter?

  Legalise the meth and control its quality. Meth is made in bath tubs with solvents and all kinds of chemicals which help produce the psychotic violent behaviour.

  The government and their bizzaro war on drugs takes away all our liberty, not just the Native Americans. If drugs were legal I’m sure the drug inclined would be all going for a natural organic cocaine high - just like the old days….

  Posted by Nic on Nov 10, 2004 at 9:57 PM

  i have a friend who uses crystal meth so i know first hand what this psychotic behaviour is.. like pulling out hair till there isn’t any left.. sores on their arms.. its scary.  but tell them they are doing something wrong and they get mad.

  Posted by non on Nov 11, 2004 at 8:30 PM

  without a doubt, crystal meth is terribly destructive and psycosis inducing…
  legalizing all drugs…especially those that are obviously less harmful…e.g. marijuana…and other organic halluncinogens, would result in fewer people doing the more destructive “alternatives”...with less harmful results…prohibition resulted in deaths due to violence, and impurity…and still does…only now it’s mostly “illicit” drugs and their black mkt profits, and of course the overcrowded prisons that plague our society.

  Posted by m. whalen on Nov 12, 2004 at 2:00 PM

  Systematic you are 110% right about natural sacrements. I spent a lot of time in the Arizona territory and did a lot of tromping around Navajoland. These people for the most part are desperately poor. Dirt-south Alabama shack poor. The booze was bad enough for them. I saw things I still can’t get out of my head with Indians on booze. Meth is a catylyst for complete disaster for them. Meth is pure evil I am convinced. 
  I think peyote, jimson weed/ datura and Salvia Divinorum might be a good thing for them if they choose to accept it. I know many studies have been dome with things like ibogane from africa and Banisteriopsis Caapii from the amazon in dealing with addiction. This is one of the spots that I disagree strongly with the right wingers( of which I am one). I have read much by Richard Evens Schultes and Dale Pendell about this and to me giving them the tools and vision to fight this stuff is the right path.

  Posted by redstate on Nov 13, 2004 at 12:54 AM

  I personally believe that meth is the root to pure evil, as well. The pyschotic roles it has on an individual involved with this drug can be pleasently uphill journey spiraling to a downhill battle of uncontrollable emotions, physical well-being deteriorating,and mentally distraught.
  I continue to read that Navajo’s are poor, however we are rich in culture and land that so many people want to learn about their way of life. Being Native American, I know that we will conquer this drug usage among Navajos like we’ve have conquered so many problems that we were faced with in the past and up-coming generations. We as Navajos need to take a stand together as one. When we recogonize and become one with the divine power of the circle of creation we experience the Beauty Way of Life, or Hozho.

  Posted by Renae G. on Nov 15, 2004 at 8:24 PM

  I remember one thing I read about the Navajo out in Arizona. During their most impoverished times a white trader started them on silversmithing-provided the silver and polished stones and got them involved in a very lucrative art form . Some more traders moved in and some were good and some were bad but the art form and recognition of the Navajo,Zuni,Hopi as the masters of the medium was a good thing for bringing them to self sufficiancy.
    William spratling did it also in Mexico . my point is that the Navajo need to be financially independant and have viable alternatives to help the Dineh regain themselves.Meth is insidious perhaps the worst of the recreationals. I have heard stories of people getting shot several times and not being phased. I saw it’s effects among the bikers in Az when I lived there in the early 90’s and it amazed me the level of violence it perpetuated. Meth is a drug of poverty and despair. Being a libertarian on most issues I am for eliminating meth.

  Posted by redstate on Nov 16, 2004 at 10:49 PM

  I think all meth users should f***in’ die. No matter how much “awareness” we try to get out there, it’s always going to be there. Navajos are weak, disagree with me if you will, but it’s true. I mean we are one of the largest native communities in the US today yet, more than half of us don’t have jobs. We depend on the Government to give us money, and in turn we use that to get high or drunk. Come on, sometimes i feel ashamed to call myself navajo. I already have to deal with all the bullshit stereotypes of being native american, now i have to deal with the shame all you bastard Meth heads have caused us Navajos. I believe the Government should step in and take control. I mean it’s their money the buys the meth. I strong oppose the use of any drug, besides weed (cause weed is not a drug) because of the simple fact that there are innocent children out there who are affected the most. Instead of raising strong warriors and warrior princesses, parents are indulging in their own f***ed up desires. Pull your heads out of your asses, Our future as a NATION is at stake. Native Pride? Pride in what…CRACKHEADS. I think it’s time to MAN THA F**K UP and take this problem ny the balls. METH IS FOR LOSERS!

  Posted by Melanie Begaye on Apr 13, 2005 at 3:55 PM

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