Boozhoo, My name is Eli Corbine. I'm from the Bad River Ojibwe Nation located in Northern Wisconsin. Where I use my lived experiences to help people who use drugs. Also I am certified peer specialists that provides out reach services and oversees our naloxone mail order program.

Within racial groups in the United States, American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have been experiencing fatal drug overdoses at the highest rate. The mortality rates differ widely by state. In 2022, AI/AN within the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin were dying from drug overdoses at the highest rates in the nation, with over 191.4 individuals dying per 100,000 in Minnesota and 113.2 per 100,000 in Wisconsin. These rates are significantly higher than the overall national rate at 32.4 individuals dying per 100,000. Researchers and funding institutions have not prioritized cataloging the disparities among AI/AN populations in states; nor have research funding been invested in exploring the causal factors that have led to very high rates of overdose fatality among AI/AN in certain states.
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has developed a nationally-recognized harm reduction program led by tribal members with lived and living experience using drugs, recovering from chaotic drug use and as survivors of incarceration. A major part of our work is to distribute naloxone and other harm reduction supplies through the mail to people at high overdose in the State of Wisconsin who are underserved by brick and mortar harm reduction programs. A major focus of this effort is to provide lifelines to tribal communities in the state to reduce the burden of drug overdose fatality among AI/AN individuals, many of whom live in remote, rural areas without robust overdose prevention services.
Expansion of programs like Bad River’s is critical for reducing mortality rates among AI/AN and improving community outcomes. Key to the success of this program is indigenous leadership and the leadership of tribal individuals who have been there.