Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 15/99) - Sandy Chalifoux has seen some harrowing times in his 62 years.

From overcoming his own troubles with alcohol to helping others tame their own personal demons, he has earned a great deal of respect. Now working in Fort Liard, where a friend asked him to help establish an addictions program several months ago, he wants to convey the message that addictions can ruin or end lives. He knows, he has seen it.

While working in Davis Inlet, a Labrador community notorious for its substance abuse, Chalifoux confronted a hostage-taking situation. One man had shot another in the stomach and held seven children at gun-point in a home. Chalifoux was called in by the police to calm the man and he eventually won the children's release during the 10-hour stand off. The man went on to shoot himself, but survived.

"Sure I was scared, but I was concerned about those seven little kids," he said of the precarious incident.

At age 62, his appearance belies his years. The secret to his youthfulness, despite having lived through some very tumultuous days, is taking vitamins regularly, exercise (he can be seen cycling around the community frequently) and "thinking young." With an 11-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter, he says he can't afford to get old yet.

Matters in his life weren't always in accord, however. Chalifoux was once a very successful contractor with a penchant for parties. He had a hard time believing he had an alcohol problem because he was wealthy and always had plenty of material possessions, he recalled.

It took a tragic incident -- that occurred while he had been drinking -- to affect him so profoundly he sought help.

"It shocked me into reality," he said, asking that the details remain private. "I eventually said, 'This is enough,' and I went in for treatment. I've been sober ever since."

"I had accepted that one day I would die from drinking," he remembered. "And where I came from, that was all right. Then AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) came along and taught me not to drink anymore."

Twenty-four years have come and gone since then. From running Poundmaker's Lodge, one of the largest treatment centres in Canada, to establishing an addictions program in Inuvik and northern Quebec, he has spent most of his time helping others beat their addictions.

By nature, the job entails dealing with misery and despair. When it all begins to feel overwhelming, Chalifoux turns to his ceremonial pipe, smudging ceremonies, using sweet grass and rocky mountain sage. He showers often and changes his clothes to feel refreshed. As well, he still goes to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Fort Nelson, B.C., where he receives support.

Then there are the success stories.

Chalifoux held a five-day treatment camp for nine people at Fisherman Lake during the first week of August. At the end of October, five out of the nine still haven't drank again while four have reduced their drinking by about 75 per cent.

"Nobody's hopeless -- I deem people hopeless when you're lowering them into the ground in a pine box," said Chalifoux. "Ninety per cent (of addicts) want to quit, but they don't know how. They just have to hear that certain something on how to get sober."