Cherokee Nation leaders gather to break ground on a cutting-edge addiction treatment center.

 The ceremony occurred last Thursday near Tahlequah as part of a $76 million initiative aimed at combating substance use disorders among Cherokee citizens.

 The new facility, projected to cost $25 million, represents the first major project in a broader $76 million investment by the tribe to address addiction and promote recovery. The 19,000-square-foot will offer a comprehensive suite of services, including group and individual counseling, peer support, care management, and culturally grounded activities. In addition, the facility will feature innovative treatments such as equine therapy, which aims to foster healing through interactions with horses. The funding for this project is part of the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act of 2021, recently amended to allocate $100 million in settlement funds from opioid and e-cigarette lawsuits.