Inuvik (Feb 17/06) - Inuvik's crack cocaine problem was front and centre last week during a series of addiction workshops and community meetings hosted by the Yellowknife Salvation Army's Crackbusters.

This crack cocaine and paraphernalia were seized by Inuvik RCMP in the past year. The black spherical objects are steel wire that is used in conjunction with a typical crack pipe. Since crack does not stay lit and must be constantly heated - usually with a torch - to produce smoke, the steel gauze acts as a base inside a pipe. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

Crackbusters were in town to discuss ways to deal with the issue.

At a public forum last Wednesday evening. Treatment and rehabilitation took a backseat to targeting the dealers.

"We're spending a lot of money on the cure for addiction, which is good, but there is little done to stop the dealers," said Inuvik businessman Bill Rutherford.

He said the rights of drug pushers appeared to take precedence over those of ordinary law-biding citizens.

This sentiment was reflected by others in attendance, who wanted to know why police were having so much trouble busting drug dealers when their identities and locations of operation in town seemed obvious to most residents. Speaking on behalf of Inuvik RCMP was Cpl. Jim Strowbridge, who attempted to assure people the police were doing everything in their power.

"Building intelligence (to execute a search warrant) is a continual process," he said. "It may seem to the people who have nothing to hide that alleged criminals are hiding behind the Charter (of Rights), but that's not the case."

In further conversation with Strowbridge, he explained that a high volume of "people coming and going" from a residence is not sufficient for a search warrant.

"It's part of building a case, but it's not enough for a warrant," he said.

Strowbridge said catching somebody in possession of drugs after leaving a suspected dealer's residence would help in building a case for a warrant, but was quick to qualify the scenario.

"We can't just search anyone for drugs coming out a place either."

Inuvik resident Ellen Firth, who says crack cocaine has severely impacted her family, wants the community to initiate a support group for those affected by the drug - both family members and recovering addicts.

"There needs to be a place where people can go to share their experiences to help us get through this," she told the Drum.

Victor Stewart, youth and elder co-ordinator for the Gwich'in Tribal Council, attended the workshops. He said that while crack is a concern, issues of alcohol and marijuana are the main problems affecting his hometown of Fort McPherson.

"That particular drug hasn't reached us yet, but it's really close to home," he said.

"What I heard is that Inuvik residents are really concerned

and we in the smaller communities should start educating our youth as to the effects of the drug."

"A lot of kids are using marijuana and alcohol and those are the things we are concerned about now," he added.

According to the Inuvik RCMP, 90 per cent of their calls are alcohol-related.

In the last year, the detachment seized 345 grams of crack cocaine in addition to marijuana and ecstasy.

While police have not come across crystal methamphetamine, Strowbridge said, "We've got information that it has been here in the community."