Yellowknife (May 07/04) - Residents who want to stop the flow of drugs and alcohol in Fort Liard are being asked to support the newly-established Community Action Committee.

The recently established Community Action Committee in Fort Liard has posted notices around the community. They want to convey the message that drugs and alcohol are wrecking havoc. A public meeting on the issue is to be held on May 10.

Fort Liard Mayor Dianne Gonet said the group was formed in late April to clamp down on bootlegging and drug dealing.

"I think it's a crisis here," she said. "We can't just sit back and watch everything go down the tubes."

Drugs and alcohol are the reason some high school students quit coming to class, said Gonet, who works at Echo Dene school. She noted that the effects of parental drinking at home has an obvious effect on elementary students too.

Const. Jeff Myke said about 80 per cent of the Fort Liard RCMP's files are related to alcohol.

Deciding to take action, hamlet council called a meeting of social agencies on April 26. The objective was to "come up with a game plan" to combat addictions, particularly among youth, Gonet explained.

A few weeks prior to the meeting, an informal survey of 45 Fort Liard residents indicated that the vast majority believe there is a substance abuse problem in the community, she said.

As part of the survey, respondents were divided into age groups and asked what sort of resources the community needed, such as more addictions counsellors, social workers or healing camps. Other options include: consultations with band members from Alkali Lake, B.C., where substance abuse problems have been addressed effectively; greater drug and alcohol awareness in the school; and a youth activity committee guided by youths.

"We want awareness and prevention," Gonet said. "We want people, if they have (addictions) problems, to think about it and maybe seek help.

"They're not enemy number one, they're people with problems that need help."

The committee could also offer support to people who wish speak out against bootleggers and drug dealers but are afraid of retaliation or being labelled "a rat," she suggested.

A public meeting to further discuss the issue has been scheduled for May 10.

"We're just looking for some more community support," said Gonet.

"We'll try to get our community back to a healthy, caring community. It's kind of gotten away from that."