(S.D.)-Tribal Chief Says Alcohol Arrest Was Good Thing

By: Chris Fankhauser Posted at: 06/07/2012 01:01 PM

     PINE RIDGE, S.D. (AP) - Oglala Sioux Vice President Tom Poor Bear believes that, in some ways, his alcohol-related arrest earlier this year on the dry Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota was a good thing.

     Poor Bear was arrested in February on a charge of obstructing government function. A police report that is not subject to public records laws but obtained by The Associated Press listed Poor Bear's blood-alcohol content at .306.

     The arrest came just weeks after the tribe sued some of the world's largest beer makers and distributors, alleging the companies are knowingly contributing to alcoholism on the reservation.

     Poor Bear said he was amazed by the outpouring of support he has received from tribal members since the arrest.     

     (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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