Inuvik (Feb 09/04) - Residents and police in the Mackenzie Delta are taking action against alcohol-related problems in their communities.

People from around the region met recently at Ingamo Hall to form a Community Wellness Coalition.

The meeting was the first of what organizers said would be many.

"I don't want to see another pine box at the end of a runway, enough is enough," said territory RCMP Superintendent Pat McCloskey.

"So we're willing to do whatever it takes, work with the communities to identify the root of the problems and try to break this cycle."

"If what it takes is knocking on a bootlegger's door, and telling them that what they are doing is not wanted in the community anymore, then that's what we're going to do," he said.

IRC chair Nellie Cournoyea welcomed the pro-active policing approach.

"You can talk about institutions, but if you don't get to the root of a problem then you're never going to change this cycle of behaviour," she said.

A Fort McPherson elder at the meeting -- who wished to remain anonymous -- said she was pleased with the initiative, but wanted to see more involvement from her community's leadership in the future.

"It's good we're having this because what is happening is just sad," she said. "But I had hoped more of (Fort McPherson's) leaders had taken an interest (in attending this meeting) and were here today."