Friday, October 03, 2008

Rich Seminole Youth Headed For Early Deaths?

Alcohol And Drugs Among Seminole Youth Despite $120K Incomes

BIG CYPRESS, FL. -- For young members of the Seminole Tribe, this should be the best of times. With annual revenues from casinos and other businesses that have topped $1.4 billion, the tribe provides each of its 3,300 members with an income of about $120,000 a year, a free education and a guaranteed job.

And many college-educated Seminoles are coming home to work in the tribe's Hollywood headquarters. Despite these positive developments, young Seminoles die at an alarming rate from drug overdoses, alcohol-involved car crashes and suicide.

Of 17 Seminole deaths recorded so far in 2008, 11 ­ or about 65% ­ have been linked to drug or alcohol abuse, according to figures obtained by the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel. Most of those who have died this year never reached their 40th birthday.

Among the fatalities were the 27-year-old daughter of Tribal Councilman David Cypress, killed in an April car crash, and James Girtman, 22, who died of a gunshot suicide in January in Okeechobee.

http://swflorida.blogspot.com/2008/04/woman-found-dead-in-canal.html

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flseminole0928xsbsep28,0,5718141.story

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:14 PM

    A FEW YEARS AGO IT WAS THE POLICY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON THE RESERVATION, THAT IF THEY STOPPED A TRIBAL MEMBER FOR A TRAFFIC OFFENSE WHILE ON THE REZ, AND THE DRIVER WAS DRUNK, THE DRIVER WAS NOT CHARGED WITH DRUNK DRIVING.

    PERHAPS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. SOME JAIL TIME EARLY ON MIGHT HAVE GIVEN THEM A WAKE UP CALL.IT IS SAD THIS HAPPENS, DOUBLY SADDER IF THEY KILL AN INNOCENT PERSON BY THEIR DRUNK DRIVING.

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  2. Anonymous12:31 PM

    This is what happens when the laws of our government dont apply to you so you do what you want to do and get a early gave i think there should be some changes made with the indian tribes policy and stop blaming others for what they think should be suited for there own so who would care no one especially if this what you instill in your younger generation who will be left on the rez no one.

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  3. Anonymous11:02 AM

    I read Native Americans have a gene that can't process alcohol. That 's why they have less decision making abilities while drinking . Maybe education is the key - get the word out and teach them while they're young.

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