Yellowknife (Nov 17/04) - A sober, but certainly not sombre, group of Yellowknifers kicked off National Addictions Awareness Week Monday with the 10th annual Sober Walk.

Starting at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre, 40-50 students, RCMP officers, outreach workers and those affected by addiction marched down Franklin Avenue to the Salvation Army, where lunch was served.

After losing his house and his savings after nine months of crack addiction, Brian feels lucky to have taken part in Monday's Sober Walk. - Chris Hunsley/NNSL photo

With the chant of "Friends don't let friends drink and drive" and "We're party animals with a cause" resounding through the crowd, marchers waved placards with messages such as "Booze will do you in" and "Addiction is a family disease."

"We want people to become aware of addictions and how they're affecting people in their communities," said Diane Hrstic, an alcohol and drug program manager for the Tree of Peace.

"If you don't have an addiction, someone in your (circle of) family and friends does."

The Tree of Peace helps an average of 170 adults and 40 youths with addiction problems every month. Many of them didn't come out to the march because they are uncomfortable going public with their fight, Hrstic said.

But not Brian.

This cook by trade has sought treatment for crack cocaine addiction at the Tree of Peace, the Salvation Army and other services over the last few weeks.

"I've been off the drug for 47 days now and the difference in me is just phenomenal," he said.

After nine months of "extreme" addiction, he is thankful for his life.

"I was dying. It was killing me -- plain and simple."

Brian now spends two days a week at Cocaine Anonymous meetings, two days at Narcotics Anonymous, attends Crack Busters and takes part in the Tree of Peace's new program CHAOS (Cocaine, heroin, alcohol and other substances).

The Salvation Army has also hired him on part-time.

"If you want to get off it (crack), Crack Busters is a good way to start," Brian said.

"It teaches you to hate the drug. And it's working."

The strongest representation came from St. Patrick high school students representing SADD -- Students Against Drunk Driving.

Making up close to half the crowd, the outspoken role models hope to help others avoid the hardships caused by drugs and alcohol.

Drinking and driving is the number one avoidable killer in the country, Grade 11 St. Pat's student Matthew Harvey said.

"It makes me sick to my stomach," he said of the preventable deaths. "I'm trying to do what I can to help out."

Marches were also held in Dettah and Ndilo the same day.