Derek Neary
Northern News Services

FORT LIARD (Apr 23/99) - Fort Liard is confronting the issue of drugs and alcohol head on.

For the first time in a few years, the burgeoning community of close to 600 people now has a full-time drug and alcohol counsellor. A public meeting regarding drugs and alcohol strategies was held late last month. Approximately 50 people were in attendance at that meeting, along with community leaders, social committee members and members of the RCMP.

"With so much activity in the area, people felt that it was time for a good discussion on it," Mayor Joanne Deneron said. "It was very, very productive. People walked away that evening and said, 'Well, that was good.'"

Eva Hope, secretary of the Elets'ats'eni Society (a women's group that translates into "Helping One Another"), said a number of parents had expressed concerns about alcohol and drug use among youth in the community.

"In the summertime, kids like to stay out late and it's easy for them to get into trouble," Hope said. "So we decided to get together so bootleggers and people like that will be aware that we're concerned about it. It might scare them a little."

Among the strategies suggested at the public meeting was a renewed focus on the family and practising family morals.

"We really have to get back to the basics of talking to our children and doing things with our children. Sometimes our lives get so busy that sometimes that gets tossed by the wayside," Deneron said.

The cultural camp at Fisherman Lake is one suggested site where family activities could be held, Deneron noted.

An education campaign for the youth was also proposed, but not one in which adults simply preach to the kids, she said.

"We have to make them more responsible...they have to have the initiative themselves to come up with some ideas. We can't do it for them," she said.

A follow-up meeting was recommended, where some of these ideas could be examined in further detail and put into action.

"Whether it be feasts, drum dances, dinners, a youth night...we just have to be creative in trying to think of ways that we can involve the whole family together."

Frank Kotchea, social programs co-ordinator for the Acho Dene Koe, said every community needs a drug and alcohol co-ordinator. Denying the existence of addictions is a sure route to trouble, he acknowledged.

"It doesn't get addressed that way, it grows," he said. Kotchea said he's pleased that other members of the community are taking the reins on certain social issues.

"It's good that people are taking leading roles," he said.

He added that the community is also in the process of working on an Employment Assistance program.

"The band has been a great help in terms of funding...we're not staying idle. We're moving," he said. "We're far from done."