Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner, seek Council support for $10 million addiction treatment center in Stilwell

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner propose on Friday a $10 million outpatient drug use disorder treatment facility in Stilwell, tapping the tribe's opioid settlement fund.

"In 2022 we locked down nearly $100 million in opioid settlement funds to make that industry pay for every single penny of a plan to bring addiction treatment and healing to the Cherokee people," said Chief Hoskin. "Today, we are proposing another great project under that plan."

In 2022 Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner and the Council of the Cherokee Nation placed settlement funds from the tribe's pioneering settlements under amendments to the historic Public Health and Wellness Fund Act.

The 2022 amendments to PHWFA established the Behavioral Health Capital Fund, earmarking most of the tribe's opioid settlement funds for capital projects relating to behavioral health and drug addiction treatment.

Since then, the Hoskin / Warner administration has begun construction on an in-patient addiction treatment center in Tahlequah, as well as outpatient recovery centers in Tahlequah and Vinita.

Those projects are scheduled to be completed in 2027.

The act was amended several times to bring forward additional opioid settlement dollars into the Behavioral Health Capital Fund in 2023 and 2026.

The PHWFA also directs millions of opioid settlement dollars annually into health and career services programs to assist those dealing with addiction recover in innovative ways.

In 2017, Cherokee Nation became the first tribal nation in history to pursue the opioid industry, securing key settlement agreements. The litigation was led by the Cherokee Nation Office of Attorney General.

Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner's latest proposal would tap $10 million of the Behavioral Health Capital Fund to construct a 10,000 square foot outpatient recover center at 82102 Highway 59 in Stilwell.

"People struggling with substance use disorder deserve compassionate and comprehensive care," said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. "Though we have some great external partners to deliver that care, our investment in new facilities brings that care under the direct management of our Health system where we know world class care is the goal and where health care professionals put the patient at the center of care."

If approved by Council, Chief Hoskin says the tribe's construction and procurement teams will proceed with awarding a bid for the project. The bid solicitation is open October 22 through November 17 and is available on the tribe's CherokeeBids.org website.

"Substance use disorder has impacted far too many families in Adair County, and we know firsthand how important it is to have treatment and recover resources close to home," said Councilor Josh Sam of Stilwell. "While our long-term goal should be ensuring these services are accessible throughout the Cherokee Nation Reservation, I'm grateful that the urgent needs of our community are being recognized. This $10 million investment is more than a new facility. It's an investment in hope, healing, and a healthier future for our Cherokee family."

The Council will consider the resolution putting the project at its committee meetings on November 9. If approved the measure will advance to the full council meeting that evening.