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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The prevalence of monthly binge drinking increased by 12 per cent from 1996 to 2006 according to an addictions report released by the Department of Health and Social Services this past summer.

The 66-page report examines the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, tobacco and gambling among Northerners.

Consuming five or more drinks on a single occasion at least once a month is considered to be regular binge drinking and residents aged 15 to 24 are more likely to binge drink on a regular basis, according to the report. Males and aboriginal people were more likely to binge drink than females and non-aboriginals.

However, over the 10-year period, the binge drinking rate among aboriginal people dropped to 50 per cent from 61 per cent, while it increased in non-aboriginals from 24 per cent to 37 per cent.

The overall binge-drinking rate jumped to 45 per cent from 33 per cent. Among people aged 15 to 24, binge drinking increased to 60 per cent from 44 per cent. Among ages 25 to 39 it increased to 47 per cent from 37 per cent and the biggest increase came in the age group of 40 to 59 where it jumped to 38 per cent from 18 per cent.

Rosa Wah-Shee, Health and Social Services' mental health specialist on addictions, said the overall increase isn't that significant over the span of a decade but it does raise concerns about the substance use habits of people in the North.

While the increase seems small over the span of a decade, Wah-Shee said there are many possible contributing factors to the onset of such an increase.

"Why there is an increase would have to do with easier access to alcohol and the establishment of the diamond mines," she said. "We've had more of a transient work force so that meant change in lifestyle, shift work and more down time. People have more disposable income."

Wah-Shee is hoping the territory can put a youth addictions program in place sometime in the near future to help curb abuse and addictions problems in tandem with educational programs.

"We've put in a written a submission to the government and we want to pilot a youth treatment program," she said.

They hope to hear back within a month about the youth program request.

"The department has funded the health and social services authorities in the regions to have the community counselling program established," she said. "They have mental health and addiction counsellors and community wellness working to deal with clients that have issues with addictions."

Counsellors and wellness workers do promotion and prevention in their communities to help educate and people on the effects of binge drinking and offer support for people struggling with substance abuse.

Damien Healy, communications officer for Health and Social Services, said the report will allow people who work with addiction and substance abuse issues to better gauge how to focus their efforts.

"The report will allow support workers to figure out what is right for them," he said. "One model doesn't work for every community. Each community will review the addiction report and figure out what they need to do."