Tiny Midwest Town Closes Beer Stores to Save Lives

A long day’s drive northwest from Narconon Arrowhead, four liquor stores in a town of 14 residents have been hawking their wares with phenomenal success. Each year, approximately four million cans of beer move out of these four small stores and into the hands of drinkers. Problem drinkers, most of them. And most of them are from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation that lies literally just feet away. For the moment, these problem drinkers have lost their source of alcohol because all four stores just lost their liquor licenses and shut their doors.

Problems on Both Sides of the Nebraska-South Dakota State Line

Entrance sign to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

These stores are located in Whiteclay, Nebraska, a tiny town that butts up against the South Dakota state line. On the other side of that line is the reservation—a dry reservation. No alcohol is sold on the reservation and even possession is illegal.

The four holders of Whiteclay liquor licenses have been making fortunes selling to problem drinkers from the reservation. The effects have been felt in town in the form of passed-out drunks, public urination, petty crime and other problems common to alcoholics. On the other side of the state line, long-term alcoholism has resulted in domestic and child abuse, abandoned educations, unemployment, unintended pregnancies, injuries, assaults, illness and rampant fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

Drunk man

After decades of controversy and activism, the Nebraska State Liquor Commission finally revoked the liquor licenses of these four stores. That didn’t mean the fight was over, because a county judge then overruled the liquor commission’s decision. Next, the Nebraska Attorney General’s office filed an appeal that must go before the Nebraska Supreme Court. Until that happens, the four stores will remain shuttered and their beer stocks are being shipped elsewhere.

Revoked Licenses Will Not Eliminate Alcoholism

Residents around Whiteclay expect this change to calm down the immediate environment but no one expects it to eliminate the problem. Those accustomed to walking from the reservation to the liquor store—and then passing out in a vacant lot—will have to work out transportation to the nearest store where alcohol can be purchased—now 20 miles away.

Maybe for a little while, the Social Services office on the reservation will be able to have fruitful conversations with those who have nothing left after years of alcoholism—not even a car to drive 20 miles to buy beer. Maybe a few people will take this opportunity to stop drinking and take better care of their children, improve their own health and get a job again.

At Narconon Arrowhead, we’ve spent decades watching what happens to those who leave addictive substances behind and start building new sober lives for themselves. We’ve seen that the rifts between family members can be healed and that one’s own spirit can be restored. Our unique, 100% drug-free rehab program has been the solution for thousands of individuals who learned that yes, there is still hope, even when everything looked hopeless. Call us to learn how we can help someone you love. Call 1-800-469-6933 today.

AUTHOR
KH

Karen Hadley

For more than a decade, Karen has been researching and writing about drug trafficking, drug abuse, addiction and recovery. She has also studied and written about policy issues related to drug treatment.

NARCONON ARROWHEAD

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION