Inuvik (Feb 10/06) - A little more than a year ago, Inuvik teenager John (not his real name) was on the road to nowhere.

"Drugs and alcohol were no good and really dragging me down," recalled John of their influence on his behaviour, which eventually landed him in the North Slave Correctional Facility in Yellowknife for eight months.

However, being told when to eat, sleep and shower while locked up in what he calls a "strict" environment helped him to realize what he didn't want to spend the rest of his life doing.

"If you didn't want to do school work, you were in your room for the rest of the day," he said of why he opted for cracking the books. "That's when I picked up my school skills."

Following his stint in jail, John values his freedom now more than ever and wants to make the most of it.

"I'm going to stay in school and encourage my five brothers to do the same," said the 16-year-old, who is on his way to finishing Grade 10.

"Before, my attendance was OK, but my attitude was bad."

At North Slave, John quickly realized it wasn't going to earn him any favours or make his time in jail go any smoother.

"Because of my negative attitude I wasn't getting any respect from the staff there," he recalled. "That's where I learned the facts of life."

And John's new attitude and direction has even impressed Samuel Hearne secondary school principal David Reid.

"I'd have to say there's been a complete turnaround and it's great to see," said Reid.

Now back home with his family and focussed on his studies, John is setting his sights on the future.

"Maybe carpentry, but I don't know," he said when asked where schooling might take him. "But a wildlife officer or biologist might be interesting. We'll see."