Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (Feb 15/99) - A doctor and nurse locked themselves in a health cabin in Jean Marie River to avoid a threatening individual last Wednesday.

The two Deh Cho Health employees were making a regular monthly visit to the community to deliver services for the day when a male entered the cabin and reportedly demanded immediate attention, according to Kathy Tsetso, chief executive officer of Deh Cho Health and Social Services.

The man reportedly proceeded to threaten the nurse and doctor, who locked the door after he left the facility. They boarded their plane shortly thereafter and left without being assaulted, she said.

"The staff took the appropriate actions," said Tsetso. "We have a zero- tolerance policy."

This incident comes on the heels of a similar situation in Wrigley two weeks ago when a nurse fled the community after being threatened.

"From the (Deh Cho Health and Social Services) board's perspective, we have to make it clear to the communities that we will not tolerate violence whether it's verbal or physical," Tsetso said.

She also emphasized that this is the first time that such an incident has ever occurred in Jean Marie River, a community of close to 60 people.

There is a lay dispenser from the community who would normally have been present but she had departed momentarily. Tsetso said the lay dispenser felt her presence could have proved pivotal.

"Maybe she could have defused it. I spoke to her (Thursday) and she felt she could have," Tsetso said.

The incident was reported to the RCMP and the matter is under investigation, according to Sgt. Larry Wright of the Fort Simpson detachment.