IRVING, N.Y. -- On the Seneca Nation, drugs are taking over people's lives. Just ask Jarvis Spruce.
"It's pretty much tearing up families, communities,” said Spruce.
He and others took to the street Friday, homemade signs and all, to speak out against abuse and overdose. It was a chilling reminder that the borders of their reservations are not impervious to the epidemic.
"We have a lot of death here,” said Nation President Moe John. “In April, we had two deaths in Allegany and two deaths in Cattaraugus in two separate weeks. It's a dire situation."
Spruce knows all too well about the grips of addiction. He was an alcoholic for 22 years and has been clean for 30 months. He now works as a recovery guide with Seneca Strong, helping folks get into counseling and rehab facilities.
Unfortunately, he doesn't see too many people there voluntarily.
"People do come in just because they have court. Only a select few that come in for themselves. They don't understand they have to do it for themselves."
Tribal Councilor Arlene Bova explained more people need to talk about what's been going on. Her daughter recently completed rehab for heroin abuse. Bova caught her using when she was 18.
"As of late, there's been a real concern with meth. For Indian country, the Nation is very fortunate it didn't hit us 15 years ago,” said Bova. “But we got hit with pills, and from the pills it got to the heroin."
Most noticeable at the rally were the abundance of youth. John told us the Nation has invested heavily to create new programs to give kids an alternative to drugs, but Bova said these young folks should also ask questions and stay vocal about this issue.
"If you don't get the answer from mom, dad, brother or sister. Ask a friend, talk to your friends. You're probably not alone in this,” Bova said.
"The older generation needs to step up and stop hiding it. And teaching the young that they don't have to live in those situations,” said Spruce.