An American Indian tribe has filed a federal lawsuit against Anheuser-Busch and several other large American brewing companies for encouraging chronic drinking on a dry reservation.
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, with a population of 40,000, is home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Pine Ridge has banned the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol since the 1970s.
Just 240 yards south of the reservation and across state lines, alcohol is permitted in Whiteclay, Neb. — a small town with a population of 12 people. In 2010, about 4.3 million 12-ounce servings of beer were sold, according to the lawsuit.
"Despite the applicable laws, vast amounts of beer are sold in Whiteclay and/or illegally transported, possessed, resold and consumed in the PRIR," according to the lawsuit.
The tribe listed alcohol fetal syndrome, major health issues and alcohol related arrests as severe problems they have incurred from chronic drinking for decades. Beer is often described as the "crack cocaine" of the reservation.
"Alcohol is a devastating drug to the Lakota people," the lawsuit states.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe filed the lawsuit in February, making accusations of encouraging the illegal purchase, possession, transport and consumption of alcohol on the reservation, according to the lawsuit.
Tribal officials seek $500 million for costs incurred by the alcohol sales to pay for health care, law enforcement and social services, and to limit the amount of beer Whiteclay can sell.
However, some believe that repealing prohibition and legalizing alcohol in Pine Ridge would enable tribes to put in place tighter restrictions and afford treatment programs.
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