Navajo Nation awards $300,000 to drug and alcohol detox center

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly. Submitted photo

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly. Submitted photo

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly presented a $300,000 check on Monday morning to Na'Nizhoozhi Center Inc. (NCI), a detox facility that utilizes traditional and Western philosophies to encourage sobriety.

"Today, the Office of the President and Vice President, the Division of Health, and the Department of Behavioral Health Services is providing an award of an additional $300,000 to NCI to help and assist their mission," President Shelly said before he presented the check to NCI Executive Director Jay Azua.

Azua said he is grateful Shelly took time out from his schedule on Christmas Eve to deliver the check.

NCI's detox program services between 24,000 to 30,000 people annually.

"This money will get us through the winter and allow us to continue our operations," Azua said.

Since 2003, the Navajo Nation has granted more than $13 million to NCI to help with operations, including a $400,000 award from the Navajo Nation Department of Behavioral Health in March.

Shelly said the most recent money must go to direct services costs.

"These funds are allocated only for direct service and not for attorney fees, single audits, and bonuses for staff," President Shelly said. "The funds will be used for our relatives who struggle with alcohol and substance abuse who are at risk of exposure during the harsh winter months."

President Shelly added that alcohol and substance abuse increase risk of exposure.

"We have family members and relatives that are struggling with alcohol and substance abuse which takes them from their homes and brings them to border towns," Shelly said. "Because of their struggles, they are most vulnerable to exposure and that brings me great concern."

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