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The Sober Walk turns onto 51st St. from Franklin Ave on its way back to the Tree of Peace friendship centre on Monday afternoon. - Laura Busch/NNSL photo

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
In an effort to raise awareness about substance abuse in the community, Yellowknife youth braved the cold Monday to march through the downtown streets waving banners and signs emblazoned with anti-drug messages.

The student-made signs depicted a variety of topics. "Sober Walk: High off life; Drunk on love," said one. "Hugs, not drugs," was read on more than one sign. Others contained collages or magazine clippings associated with substance abuse.

Approximately 150 students from St. Joseph School marched around the downtown area beginning at noon Monday. The route began and ended at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre and looped past many fitting Yellowknife establishments, such as the SideDoor youth centre; and the Gold Range and Raven Pub on 50 Street.

Just like their signs, students had different motivations for participating in the walk.

"My mom, when she was younger, was dealing with a whole bunch of drugs and all that, and she stopped that," said Athena Gafuik, a 12-year-old Grade 7 student. "And I hate seeing people down at the Gold (Range) and drinking and everything like that."

Mitchell Rankin, 12, also in Grade 7, said he was there, "just to show people not to do drugs and not to do drinking and driving."

Last year's Sober Walk drew a larger number of participants, between 250 and 400 people turned out to march, said Rick Alexander, community wellness manager at the Tree of Peace. In 2009, Yellowknifer reported that around 400 people attended the event.

However, organizers are happy that the event continues to inform Yellowknife's youth about the harms caused by substance abuse throughout the community.

"National Addictions Awareness Week is really centered in on middle school and high school students, but anybody can be involved in it," said Alexander. "It's just with the whole idea that there is other ways of living well, having fun and all that kind of stuff without the use of substances - including alcohol or nicotine for that matter."

The Yellowknife Sober Walk, which Alexander said has been going on for at least 25 years, is part of NWT Addictions Awareness Week - formerly National Addictions Awareness Week - held Nov. 14 through Nov. 20.

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