Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (Feb 01/99) - After a nurse in Wrigley was threatened by a male individual on Wednesday, Jan. 20, the community held meetings to devise a way to offer assistance.

"The situation was discussed and the community submitted volunteers to support the nurse while the nurse is in the community and needs assistance or help," said Kathy Tsetso, chief executive officer for Deh Cho Health and Social Services. "They're working towards developing a health committee."

Tsetso said there were two community meetings held last week in Wrigley and there was a good turnout at the second one, which was conducted in South Slavey. She said safety issues regarding health staff were discussed and potential solutions were sought.

"They came up with a list of people who the nurse can phone for support if there is somebody causing him grief or harassment or whatever," Tsetso said, noting that Wrigley has a one-position nurse's station that is filled on a three-month rotational basis.

She said she had been instructed not to discuss the specific incident that provided the impetus for the meetings. The nurse reportedly left the community after being threatened, but has since returned and the situation has been resolved, according to Tsetso.

A 29-year-old un-armed male was apprehended and charged with uttering threats in relation to the situation, according to Sgt. Larry Wright of the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment which is responsible for policing Wrigley.

The accused, who was not being held in custody, has been scheduled to appear in territorial court in Fort Simpson on Monday.