Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Jun 18/01) - Skid road is not a place but a state of mind, says Bob Kelly He knows; he's been there.
Kelly an alcohol abuse counsellor and Derek Lindsay, chair of the Inuvik Alcohol Committee, are seeking funding for an alcohol treatment program they want to run out of the Turning Point, a downtown facility.
"There needs to be more services to take away all the outside worries, offer clean sheets, food and take care of the basics," Kelly said.
The IAC hopes to raise $400,000 from oil and gas companies, the Gwich'in Tribal Council and IRC to operate a 30-day treatment program, a men's transitional shelter, education programs, and mobile services to neighbouring communities.
"I would like to see them partner for the social benefit of all residents in the Beaufort-Delta," Lindsay said.
The benefits of the oil and gas boom in the delta are obvious in Inuvik. Jobs are plentiful and so is the pay. But substance abuse taints the success.
"You just have to walk down the street and see people passed out," Kelly said. "It is what you don't see that is very telling."
RCMP Cpl. Tim Beland blames 90 per cent of the crime in Inuvik on booze.
"We definitely support (a treatment program)," he said.
Lindsay sent out the first set of proposals May 10 and followed that with a letter.
Heather Taylor of Anderson Exploration said the company will meet with Turning Point to discuss funding.
"We will be working with them but we are not willing to take the place of a government organization," she said.
Petro-Canada has is also looking for further discussion, and others said they have not forgotten it.
"We realize with the increase in earning up there this will happen," said Orland Hansen, public affairs advisor for Calgary-based WesternGeco.
