SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknifers are being called on to help raise funds and awareness for victims of drug-related activities and crimes by participating in the Share the Load Community Relay on May 28.

Liisa Prosyk, victim services co-ordinator, said lately victim services has noticed an increase in the number of victims of drug-related activities and crimes coming forward.

She explained being a victim of drug-related activities or crimes isn't restricted to direct victims and these issues can victimize their family members, as well as the rest of the community.

"I think drugs have affected all of us at some point in time," she added.

The Share the Load Community Relay will take place at city hall at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 28. The event will include a performance by Godson, with guest Malcolm Menacho.

Prizes will be awarded to teams who accumulate the most points which can be earned in ways like wearing a costume or company logo, or by forming a team of family members. Participants are also asked to carry a 20-lb load as part of the relay. The load can be as simple as a stuffed backpack, but team creativity is encouraged.

When asked what the load represents, Prosyk said it means something different to everyone, but to her, it represents the weight of drugs on everybody in the community.

"As a community we need to shoulder that load and start doing something about it - start collectively saying 'not us', and have that be the in-thing to do," Prosyk said.

Cpl. Shawn King, of the RCMP's Drug Awareness Service in Yellowknife, believes in the importance of community involvement in preventing youth substance abuse.

"I think community support is second only to family support," he said.

He added that preventing youth drug-crime and activities takes a collaborative community effort.

"It's not something police can solve by themselves," said King.

Prosyk said funds raised during the relay would be put to a wide variety of uses including future awareness campaigns. She said that in the past funds have been used in emergency situations to put people up in hotel rooms.

Prosyk added that how the funds are used varies greatly depending on each unique situation.

Libby Whittal, event co-ordinator for the relay, said when she thinks of "share the load" she thinks of two NWT teens who died as a result of substance abuse earlier this year.

"These were two bright and shining stars that are not in our community anymore and that makes me very unhappy," she said.

Whittal was referring to Anthony Menacho, 19, of Deline and 13-year-old Savannah Mackenzie of Ndilo who both passed away earlier this year.

"It's heartbreaking. We all need to come together somehow and stop this destruction of the youth," Whittal added. "Everyone has a different load in their lives."

When asked how many teams she would like to see participate in the relay Whittal laughed and answered, "Oh, a least one hundred."

Teams can pick up sign-up sheets at Overlander Sports, the Native Women's Association, Tree of Peace, or from the RCMP.