Yellowknife (Nov 15/04) - Headline-grabbing crack cocaine is not the biggest problem drug in the North.

"Our number one problem is alcohol throughout the NWT," says Cpl. Larry O'Brien, the drug awareness co-ordinator with the RCMP's 'G' Division.

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

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

It also leads to impaired driving, health problems and reduces workplace productivity.

"I don't know if it's gotten any worse, but I don't know if it's improved," O'Brien says.

The corporal says the RCMP runs programs to counter alcohol use, but he believes they don't have as much impact as community initiatives, such as Students Against Drunk Driving.

"I think those things have more impact than anything we could do," he says.

"Communities have to look within themselves."

O'Brien says the situation with other drugs is getting worse, and crack cocaine is becoming more available, even in remote communities.

Crack cocaine is a particular worry, he explains.

"It's a much more addictive substance and more dangerous than marijuana."

Still, O'Brien says the drug of choice for most users is marijuana.

Kristine Vannebo-Suwala, a 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.

Vannebo-Suwala 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."

Alcohol also remains the number one drug problem in Nunavut, says Cpl. Jimmy Akavak, the drug awareness coordinator with the RCMP's 'V' Division, estimating about 90 per cent of calls to police involve alcohol.

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

Plus, he notes some break-ins are caused by people looking for booze or money to buy alcohol.

Alcohol is more visible than other drugs, he notes. "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."

Rankin Inlet Mayor Lorne Kusugak says the drug and alcohol problems in Nunavut are no worse than anywhere else.

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

Kusugak believes there's a trend towards more responsible drinking, especially among 20- to 30-year-olds.

"It's not all bleak and grim here."

Drug/alcohol counsellors/programs available in the NWT and Nunavut.