Yellowknife (Sep 03/04) - People say they're ready to make a difference in Yellowknife's war on drugs.

On Aug. 27, Yellowknifer asked readers to call and tell us what ordinary people can do to tackle a growing city drug problem.

The majority said regular people can have an impact.

Here's what some people said:

"I don't know what I could do, but I'm always willing to help. I find that brainstorming with others can solve problems and approach new ways and new ideas for dealing with such problems."

"I don't think the ordinary citizen can do much to help us but I do believe the city can. For starters, (drug pushers are) selling crack right in the entrance of (some bars). I also believe Yellowknife needs a really good rehab. There are tonnes of people addicted to crack in this city."

"I said no because I think the RCMP should do a little bit more. This is not like a big city like New York, Toronto or Montreal. This is a small town of 20,000. I'm sure they know who the dealers are."

"I think that the citizens of Yellowknife need to consider looking at crack and cocaine use rather than everybody focusing on marijuana use. I think once the city does that, there won't be too much of a drug problem."

"First of all, I think it's commendable that Doug Witty wants to make the city safer, but I don't think an anti-loitering bylaw is going to help. It might even hurt. We can start by leaving our cars at home, getting out in the community, being outside and active in the community. The more people are outside and the more eyes that are on the street, the safer it's going to be for everybody. I think the council can help by making our streets, and especially the downtown, more pedestrian friendly. I think better planning and development would fight crime better than an anti-loitering bylaw.

"Yes, I think the average citizen can do something. They can set an example for themselves and their kids and their community. They can report problems they see happening. People have to stop blaming the RCMP. It's not their fault there's a drug problem. We need to get to the root of the problem, find out what's causing them and deal with those issues, most of them social related. And people have to start taking responsibility.

"Ordinary citizens can do something to fight back. First of all by having a zero tolerance policy in all respects. And, too, by reporting any kind of suspicious behaviour or reporting incidents that you actually witness. And just not putting up with the bullshit anymore. One downtown street is a drug haven and all kinds of other illegal activity happens down there. It's up to everybody to pitch in and do what they can. It's not just up to the police and the government."

"I've been up here for 32 years now and actively keep an eye on everything that is going on uptown. I have four kids that have been brought up here. It is bad. It's nice for Doug Witty to jump on the bandwagon but this has been going on for so long -- he gets hit with a break-in and now he's involved. We need you people involved a lot sooner than this. If you look at Calgary they're having trouble with gangs and everything down there. What are we going to wait for. Talking to different people in restaurants and people are talking vigilante type stuff -- get these people out of town. Where do we want to go with all this? Some hard decisions will have to be made in the next little while. I'm getting concerned. All I can do is keep an eye out and call the RCMP."

"I think there is definitely a severe drug problem in Yellowknife and the communities. The ordinary citizen can only do so much. I do think law enforcement has to do a little bit more; they have to get the kingpins, the people who are bringing the drugs in. People can keep alert and observe what their neighbours are doing and alerting the law enforcement about that. We definitely have to do something, but the result of this drug problem is the break-ins and the home invasions. It's going to get worse."