Cherokee Nation announces plans for $18M treatment center

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has announced plans to use a portion of its $98 million in opioid settlement funds to construct a new treatment center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

The 50-bed, 17,000-square-foot treatment facility announced on Monday will be completely operated by the tribe.

It will provide no-cost treatment for Cherokee Nation citizens struggling with substance abuse. The $18 million treatment center is part of $73 million the tribe plans to spend building facilities across its reservation to address behavioral health needs.

Another $5 million will go into a tribal endowment to help pay for Cherokees to go to college and grad school to become therapists and medical professionals needed to staff the facilities.