No firm takers for volunteer service
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Kugluktuk (Apr 23/01) - Nearly two months into the search, the community's suicide help-line remains homeless.
The phone line lost its home when operators Arlene and Harold Coomber moved to Yellowknife at the end of March.
A community-wide search was implemented prior to their departure, but weeks later, no one has come forward to volunteer their services.
Hamlet councillor Gordon Bolduc said the matter was raised at last week's council meeting.
"We're going to talk to various people in the community and see if there's any interest at all," said Bolduc.
An unsuccessful poster campaign means the next leg of the search will be conducted by word-of-mouth. Bolduc said the topic would be tabled for council to discuss at their April 30 meeting.
"We've had a few people say they'd do a shared-type of thing, but no one seems to want to do it in their homes," he said. "We're going to keep on asking."
The Coombers began answering calls in their home last year on a 24-hour, seven-day a week basis. They felt the service was needed following a particularly tragic weekend when residents witnessed two of their neighbours take their own lives in the span of one weekend.
Until the line is re-connected with the crucial service, help can be found at the Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Crisis Line at 1-800-265-3333.
