Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 30/01) - After getting a bare-bones' budget, the Inuvik Alcohol Committee is now holding bingos to cover a deficit.

The committee, which administers the Turning Point alcohol and drug rehabilitation program, has to cover a shortfall of over $15,000.

"I've gotta pay the bills somehow," said Derek Lindsay, committee chair.

Holding bingos is not what the committee hoped to be doing at this time of year. Earlier this year, there were high hopes of re-establishing a 30-day residential counselling and treatment program, or at least, an enhanced outpatient program. The residential program would have cost nearly $500,000, while an enhanced base program would have cost $285,000. However, the Department of Health would only provide $101,000 in funding for the committee.

Friends of Delta House, a non-profit organization was recently established to raise funds for the committee. Three bingos held so far raised $4,000.

The territorial Department of Health provides funding for alcohol and drug programs to the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board. The board then contracts an organization to provide programs in Inuvik and to communicate across the Delta. Ray Scott, the board CEO, says, "There's only so much money in the pot."

While Lindsay appreciates the irony of raising funds through an activity many consider to be addictive, he says, "my job is to make sure the ball is rolling. I'm down to my last straw here."

In the absence of further government funding, Lindsay has been pressing oil and gas companies operating in the Delta for money. So far, he has been rebuffed.

"I haven't heard much since the oil and gas show," said Lindsay.

During last June's Inuvik Petroleum Exhibition, the committee presented industry representatives with a request for funding. Lindsay says he was told that funding Turning Point, "wasn't really in their mandate or responsibilities... but there could be some monetary donation."

However, such donations would not go directly to the committee, but to a foundation recently set up by the IRHSSB. Scott says that the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Foundation would be the vehicle for providing funds for rehabilitation.