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Safe House program shelters many

Turning Point acts as refuge over holidays

Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 11/02) - An organizer rates the recent Safe House program a success.

Derek Lindsay is chair of the Inuvik Alcohol Committee, which operates the annual program. The past program ran from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2, and this time it took place at Turning Point, the treatment facility the committee operates.

Turning Point normally can house up to 12 people, but Lindsay explained people also slept on cots or on the floor.

"We averaged between 15 and 25 people for each meal," Lindsay said.

He noted the Christmas dinner was very well attended, and that about the same number of people made use of the program this year as last year.

The idea of the program is to provide a haven for those wishing to escape from alcohol and drugs. AA meetings were held each evening.

"It was well received by the community, as usual," Lindsay said.

The committee raised about $9,000 for the event, plus some food was donated. Sponsors include the Town of Inuvik, Chevron, Inuvik Community Corp. and Arctic Oil and Gas, as well as the legion, Knights and Lion's Club.