Yellowknife (May 09/03) - RCMP asked the crowd at Tuesday's public meeting about addiction to focus on alcohol. But some who rose to speak at the meeting also wanted to talk about cocaine.

RCMP Insp. Pat McCloskey speaks at a public meeting Tuesday night on alcohol addiction but cocaine was a main concern of those who attended. - Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo

About 75 people attended the meeting at Northern United Place.

"We have a bigger problem, which is crack cocaine," said Ruth McCullough. "It's causing a lot of anguish with our children."

McCullough said some children in Yellowknife are prostituting themselves to get the drug. She sees crack dealers moving into the community and wonders where police are, she said.

Adding to the problem is talk of a bridge across the Mackenzie. "We'll have no control over the things coming into our community," she said. "What are we going to do?"

"I know parents with kids hooked on crack and I don't see them here and I want that noted. Where are they?"

Daryl Bawtinhimer said he was a "dual addict" and has been to treatment centres in the South.

"Crack cocaine is destroying our society," he said.

Bawtinhimer said finding a better way of dealing with intoxicated people -- rather than the drunk tank -- would free up police to fight drugs.

"Never in my life have I seen a city more in need of a medical detox centre," he said. "A drunk tank is not a place to put a human being."

Diane Hrstic of the Tree of Peace said children ages 10, 11 and 12 use the friendship centre's services.

"We are right behind the Gold Range," she said. "We see them leave our office and go to the Gold Range. We see the drug deals going down."

Be'sha Blondin said the youngest child she knows with a drug problem is seven years old. The parents of these children are busy gambling, playing bingo and drinking, she said.

The crowd applauded when St. Patrick high school principal Johnny Bowden said Yellowknife needs an alcohol treatment centre.

"This is not going to cost us more money, it's going to cost us less money," he said.

Bowden also believes information about the problem isn't traded effectively and that Yellowknife needs a full-time RCMP officer available to schools.

Tom Eagle, founder of the Tree of Peace, agreed different groups work in isolation.

"We have to really develop some kind of networking with each other," he said. "I believe this could happen."

Others said any initiative should address the underlying causes of addiction.

Const. Dino Norris said the RCMP is aware of Yellowknife's cocaine problem, and does follow up on information -- but to some extent their hands are tied.

"We don't create the laws, we have to play by the book," he said.

Later he elaborated: "We can't just go busting down doors based on information from somebody that isn't willing to provide us with names."

He said the community could decide to focus on both drugs and alcohol.

"The door is wide open," he said.

Those who attended the meeting seemed relieved the community is finally coming together and were receptive to starting a community coalition.

"Let's not let anything die," said Blondin. "We're rolling here. Let's keep rolling."

Afterwards, Martha Mercredi said the meeting was inspiring. "I'm going to come back to every meeting they have," she said.

"I'm going to help as much as I can. There are so many kids and parents that need help."

Caroline Johnson of the Yellowknife Women's Society said she hopes people "get on the same page." If not, people could quickly become overwhelmed.

"It's a good start," she said.

The next meeting takes place next Thursday at 7 p.m. at Northern United Place.