Iqaluit (Nov 15/04) - The main problem drug in the North remains alcohol.

"Alcohol is a major factor in calls coming into detachments," says Cpl. Jimmy Akavak, the drug awareness co-ordinator with the RCMP's 'V' Division. He estimated that about 90 per cent of calls involve alcohol.

"In general, people drink and fight for some reason," he says, noting women, children and men all suffer from alcohol-related violence.

Plus, he notes other crimes are committed by people looking for money to buy alcohol.

"People break into houses looking for booze or something to re-sell."

Alcohol is more visible than other drugs, he says. "Drugs are kind of kept quiet."

Illegal drugs in Nunavut include marijuana, hashish and some cocaine. As for crack cocaine, Akavak says "It's just not here -- yet."

The corporal says alcohol and drugs are a problem in almost every community.

"It's all over," he says. "Where there's money, it's there."

Rankin Inlet Mayor Lorne Kusugak believes drug and alcohol problems in Nunavut are no worse than elsewhere in Canada.

"It may be more visible," he says. "Everything is more visible in a smaller population base."

Kusugak says people are also more outspoken about the problems, which he says is a good thing. "Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, they say."

The mayor notes many positive things are happening in Nunavut, such as increasing high school graduation rates and more young people attending post-secondary education.

And Kusugak believes there's a growing trend towards more responsible drinking, especially among 20- to 30-year-olds. "It's not all bleak and grim here."

Alcohol is also the number one drug problem in the NWT, says Cpl. Larry O'Brien, the drug awareness co-ordinator with the RCMP's 'G' Division.

Many people forget about alcohol when they think of drugs, he says.

O'Brien says most violent crimes in the NWT -- including domestic abuse and common assaults -- involve alcohol.

He says the situation with other drugs is getting worse, and crack cocaine is becoming more prevalent, even while the drug of choice for most users remains marijuana.

"Crack cocaine is much more addictive and dangerous than marijuana," says O'Brien.

Kristine Vannebo-Suwala, the clinical supervisor at the Nats'ejee K'eh Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centre on the Hay River Reserve, says drug use is increasing among young people.

However, she believes some people may be in denial about the drug situation in the NWT.

"It's here," she says. "I think people want to shut their eyes."

Drug/alcohol counsellors/programs in Nunavut.

Health and Social Services Mary Tatatuatik Arctic Bay 439-8333 Hamlet of Arviat Nancy Kalluak Arviat 857-3124 Health and Social Services Simeon Mikkungwak Baker Lake 793-2839 Community Wellness Centre Elizabeth Kaosoni Cambridge Bay 983-2133 Community Wellness Centre Cecilia Hogaluk Cambridge Bay 983-2133 Alcohol Awareness program Michel Tetit Cape Dorset 897-8803 Alcohol & Drug Awareness program Simiga Suviga Cape Dorset 873-8803 Hamlet office Elizabeth Anaija Gjoa Haven 360-7199 Alcohol Education Committee Ike Haulli Iglulik 934-8820

Mental Health and Social Services Hazel Woodley Iqaluit 975-7259 Wellness Centre Lorii Berushewr Kugluktuk 982-3028 Aqsaaraq Addictions Project Mary Irkootee Rankin Inlet 645-2910 Hamlet office Jeannie Iqaluq Sanikiluaq 266-8874 Alcohol & Drug program centre Theresa Totalik Taloyoak 561-6702 Life Recovery Substance Abuse program and Withdrawal Management program Dave Harder Yellowknife 920-4673 Women's and Children's Healing and Recovery program Lyda Fuller Yellowknife 920-2777 Stanton Territorial Hospital Medical Detox Ross Wheeler Yellowknife 669-4111 - compiled by Dorothy Westerman