LUMMI NATION, Wash. – The Lummi Nation is taking steps to address the fentanyl crisis in their community after declaring a state of emergency last week.
Lummi Chairman Anthony Hillaire said in a Facebook post that law enforcement is establishing “public safety zones” at various places on the reservation to search passing vehicles.
Hillaire also said the Lummi Nation evicted the residents of 2508 McKenzie Road and took ownership of the property.
The residence was known to host drug dealing for years prior, according to neighbors interviewed by Lummi Communications.
Tribal leaders are working on more ways to prevent dealing that occurs on the reservation.
Hillaire said he knows the action steps will come with “some frustrations,” but asks the community to be patient.
Tribal health leaders say four people died from fentanyl overdoses last week.