Iqaluit (Feb 10/03) - It's all about choices. Bad ones will wreck your life.

"What you do today will affect the rest of your life," was the constant message from RCMP Const. Mike Salomonie to Grade 8 students at Inuksuk high school.

Your future starts now, says RCMP Const. Mike Salomonie about avoiding illegal substances. He spoke to Wende Tulk's Grade 8 class at Inuksuk high school Feb. 5 in Iqaluit. - Chris Woodall/NNSL photo

Talking about the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse, as well as promoting the Mounties as a career choice, Salomonie sought to be a welcoming hand to young teens.

Because it's the job of police to put bad guys in jail, sometimes the community work the cops do is forgotten, Salomonie says.

"I'm aware that some of you guys have some pretty bad ideas of the RCMP," he said. "We know that in town some people say bad things about us. It's not nice stuff we have to deal with, but it's gotta be done."

One message he wanted to be very clear on is that, right from the top brass hat, the RCMP is concerned that Nunavut youth stay clear headed about their future.

"Our boss (RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli) has made you guys a priority. You guys are the future of Nunavut," Salomonie said.

"You are the future leaders of Nunavut."

But that bright future will get dim fast if these 13- and 14-year-olds get distracted by drugs, he said.

In a frank and open chalk talk, Salomonie explained the penalties and costs that will come to anyone arrested for possessing, and especially selling, illegal substances - marijuana (pot), cocaine, ecstasy, hashish, etc.

The students seem to have a lot of first-hand knowledge already.

Some certainly knew the current market value of a gram of pot ($30) in Iqaluit.

Adding up what a habit could cost over a year, "That's a lot of money you could have spent on chips and pop, or a used Ski-Doo," Salomonie said.

"Or an airplane ticket," chimed in one student of the more than $1,500 a year that could be spent on even a mild marijuana habit.

"The RCMP has zero tolerance for drugs, alcohol abuse and family violence," Salomonie told the students.

"Those three mixed together are quite common up here," Salomonie said.

As for a career, the Mounties is a good one, said Salomonie.

"There's nothing more I could want than to see you wear this uniform," he said. Salomonie is one of the recent eight Inuit recruits to join the force.

"I get paid well to do what I like to do: help people," he said.

Being an Inuk police officer is especially important, he said.

"I am very proud of who I am. Being Inuk, I can relate to people here in the North.

"Never be too proud, guys, of what your background is."