The Lummi Nation of Washington State is celebrating the first year of their Silver Reef Casino, as well as their battle against substance abuse in their community. Since the casino has generated 40 percent more revenue than expected, the money has been used for health services, drug treatment and prevention programs. Abuse of prescription drugs like OxyContin and other pain killers has become a major problem on the reservation. Gaming money currently helps pay for the “Community Mobilized Against Drugs†program, in which Tribal Council members, law enforcement agencies, and health officials can communicate about the problem.
