TUCSON – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today congratulating the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona and the Tohono O’odham Nation for each receiving $103,150.00 in Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) grant award funding from Indian Health Services.

“I am thrilled to see our brothers and sisters in the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Tohono O’odham Nation receive these vital funds,” Rep. Grijalva said. “Drug use and suicide are tragic and desperate forms of escape. Their prevalence among Native populations, and particularly Native youth, says a lot about the terrible conditions and lack of opportunity they face in this country. With these grant funds, the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O’odham are working to turn the page on the tragic losses of the past, and I’m glad the federal government is proving itself a helpful partner for this very worthy goal.”

Rep. Grijalva is the sponsor of H.R. 3166, the Native American Suicide Prevention Act, which requires a state or state-designated entity to consult with federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations on development and implementation grants targeting youth suicide early intervention and prevention.

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