Inuvik (Sep 19/03) - There are a lot of people in Inuvik hoping Bob Orr will work himself right out of a job.

Ready to listen, learn and guide, Bob Orr is the new drug and alcohol counsellor at Turning Point. - Terry Halifax/NNSL photo

Orr is the new drug and alcohol treatment counsellor at Turning Point.

He's worked 10 years with children in crisis, people with special needs.

"I went to Whitehorse to stay a summer and stayed 10 years," Orr said.

He returned south to work on the west coast, but it wasn't long before he started to miss the people "up here."

After a friend of a friend passed along his resume to Turning Point, Orr "jumped at the chance," to come back to the North.

Turning Point offers a walk-in counselling service and Orr will take the time with any who need an ear.

"I'll be listening, and counselling," Orr said. "Most of the people who come in just need someone to talk with."

He will recommend other resources to clients and offer alternatives.

"Anyone is a resource when you need some help," he said.

He is settling in to his new space at the centre and so far, has really enjoyed his time here.

"The people have been great," he said. "Even strangers on the street smile and say, 'Hello.' There is a good energy to the place."

"I look around and I see all kinds of opportunity here."

His focus and also his pet peeve has been working on FASD programs and he sees great advances taking place due largely to a greater awareness.

"When I was in Nova Scotia, no one had even heard of FAS and now a couple years later, everyone knows about it."

Orr believes that too much time and energy has been expended on "labeling" and blaming and feels good programs and healthy support for moms will go a long way to build a healthy future.

"Once you've got a healthy generation, you've got a base to work from," he said.

His experiences in the Yukon soured him a bit on the role of government in treatment, but has new hope here at the end of the road.

"I don't know, maybe it's the beginning of the road," he says and smiles.