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Ronald Elgok, left, Morris Onipkak, Sven Kerkovius, Emilia Fredlund and David Enogaloak show lockable gas boxes that were built and distributed to each home in Kugluktuk. |
Gas put out of reach Lockable boxes built to prevent youth from inhaling vapours
Danielle Sachs
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 24, 2013
KUGLUKTUK/COPPERMINE
Many houses in Kugluktuk now have an addition in their yards.
The Kugluktuk Inhalant Abuse Program constructed 121 lockable gas boxes which the Hamlet Wellness Department gave to community members for free.
Painted bright yellow with a posted warning that it contains flammable materials and constructed with a padlock, the boxes are designed to safely store gas and other substances away from youth who may be inclined to inhale vapours from fuel cans.
There was an alarming increase in Kugluktuk youth involved in inhalant abuse last summer, said Cheryl Lee, an alcohol and drug counsellor in the community and one of the project leaders for the inhalant-abuse program.
A youth died last summer and the hamlet called a meeting to bring everyone together to come up with short- and longterm solutions.
"It was important to bring together all of the community's health and wellness agencies to discuss what actions the community should take," said Emilia Fredlund, who was a community wellness co-ordinator at the time.
During the meeting, the group identified four main areas of concern - no supervision, boredom, accessibility to inhalants and a need for education and awareness.
"A number of possible solutions were discussed," said Lee.
"Protect our Youth: Kugluktuk Inhalant Abuse Program was established with funding from the department of Health and the Anglican Church of Canada," said Lee.
Although Fredlund, Lee and hamlet wellness committee counsellor Sven Kerkovius were the project leaders for the inhalant-abuse program, Lee stresses that it really was a community-driven project with everyone working together.
One of the main goals was to improve some of the safety issues and the idea of building lockable boxes for gas came about.
"The majority of households in Kugluktuk did not have proper storage facilities for their gas cans and they are often easily accessible to youths," said Fredlund.
"This had become a safety concern for Kugluktuk. So between January and March local carpenters built over 100 gas boxes which the wellness department gave out. A padlock was supplied with the box. This targeted a significant safety issue in our community."
Next steps in the program include developing some programs for youth to give them things to do, with a focus on healthier lifestyles, said Lee.
"Through this project, the wellness department aimed to support the emotional, physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing of all community members. Hopefully, adults and parents will become better role models for our youth and Kugluktuk will become a safer place for our youth," said Fredlund.
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