Iqaluit (Oct 20/03) - When youth see Const. Silvia Sharp walking the streets they see someone they can talk to.

Const. Silvia Sharp wants to help troubled youth in schools through the RCMP school liaison program. - NNSL file photo

"When I'm off duty I have kids coming up to me saying, 'Hi Silvia,'" she said. "It's a good to know they feel comfortable coming up to me."

Sharp is one of the liaison officers who work in the schools to help youth in the community. It's part of the RCMP's proactive approach to youth crime in the city.

"A lot of kids don't like the police. We just want to show them we are trying to help and we are regular people," she said.

Sharp is assigned to Aqsarniit middle school where she will also be the officer responsible for drug and alcohol resistance education.

In September Sharp worked in Inuksuk high school. One of her bigger accomplishments was resolving some of the bullying between students. "We had the students, the parents and teachers involved," she said.

"Everyone left happy."

Darlene Nuqingaq, principal of Aqsarniit middle school, thinks the officers "are making a big difference." Nuqingaq said it's important for the police to have a presence, especially in the middle school because that is the age when the kids are the most impressionable.

"If the kids can identify the police officers they will trust them more," she said.

The liaison officers are trying to educate students about choices they can make on issues like drug abuse and violence.

"We teach the kids about the affects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. We talk about the pros and cons and the choices they have," Sharp said.

Nuqingaq said if the students keep hearing the message that drugs are bad they will be more likely to stay away from them.