Cherokee Nation proposes a $10 million addiction treatment center in Stilwell

STILWELL, Okla. (Nov. 8) — Cherokee Nation leaders want to build a $10 million outpatient addiction treatment center in Stilwell, paid for with money the tribe won from the opioid industry.

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner announced the proposal Friday, KTUL reported. The 10,000-square-foot center would go up at 82102 Highway 59 and be funded through the tribe's Behavioral Health Capital Fund.

"In 2022 we locked down nearly $100 million in opioid settlement funds to make that industry pay for every single penny of a plan to bring addiction treatment and healing to the Cherokee people," Hoskin said in the tribe's announcement.

Warner said running treatment through the Cherokee Nation's own health system, rather than outside partners, puts the patient at the center of care. The tribe already has an inpatient treatment center under construction in Tahlequah and outpatient recovery centers going up in Tahlequah and Vinita. Those are scheduled to be finished in 2027, according to the announcement.

Tribal Councilor Josh Sam, who represents Stilwell, said substance use disorder "has impacted far too many families in Adair County" and that having treatment close to home matters.

The Tribal Council is set to consider the project in committee on Monday, Nov. 9, and it could reach the full council that evening, the Tahlequah Daily Press reported. Construction bids are open through Nov. 17.