Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Jun 21/00) - A drug and alcohol counsellor claims threats against her life were behind her decision to leave Rankin Inlet.

Beth Thomas, a former Aqsaaraq Addictions Project counsellor, says the calls started about three months ago and were linked to her successful addictions work.

She says she decided to leave after feeling like she had to deal with the situation alone.

"All the RCMP could offer me was a change of my phone number for free, but then I would be charged $16 a month to keep my number unlisted," says Thomas.

Thomas says the threats began shortly after a murder in Rankin.

"I had three people quit who were all heavy (drug) users.

"We're talking upwards of $300 a day being lost by local drug dealers."

Thomas claims the RCMP would not listen to two calls she had recorded on her digital answering machine because the voices were slightly distorted.

"I was basically told I'm a grown-up, deal with it.

"I was getting three hours of sleep a night and nobody cared. I had to sleep with a loaded shotgun on my floor."

Sgt. Mark Hennigar says generally, the RCMP do not comment on the specifics of calls for service.

However, he did say a complaint of obscene phone calls was received by the detachment in March 2000.

"The RCMP Rankin Inlet detachment provided as much service as was necessary on the basis of the information our investigators had to go on at the time. That's all I can say about the situation," says Hennigar.

Thomas says her being forced to leave town shows it's the drug dealers who have the power in Rankin.

She says drug dealers monitor the Addictions Project's success rate closer than local authorities.

"I'm really upset that I had to leave, but I have to do what's best for me.

"Part of the problem was I did too good of a job. I threatened the drug dealers and cost them money and this was the end result.

"It's a multifaceted problem with no easy answers but, if it's ever going to get any better, the RCMP and the health board will have to make some changes.

"And I don't see that happening any time soon."