Pubdate: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 Source: Whitehorse Star (CN YK) Copyright: 2004 Whitehorse Star Contact: http://www.whitehorsestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1493 Author: Kelly-Anne Riess PARTIES AGREE TO FIGHT SUBSTANCE ABUSE A motion pledging to combat drug abuse in the territority was passed unanimously in the legislature Tuesday. The NDP motion stated the territorial government would work with all other levels of government to deal with the problem. By passing the motion, the Yukon government has taken on the responsibility of hosting a territory-wide summit on substance abuse where an action plan addressing the Yukon's predicament would be developed. Opposition leader Todd Hardy says drugs are causing serious problems for all of the Yukon's communities. Last Friday, Hardy facilitated a meeting where Ed Schultz, grand chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations, and officials from all three levels of government vowed their involvement with the new Coalition on Substance Abuse. Hardy, the NDP MLA for Whitehorse Centre, has hosted two community meetings this year on the drug question. He said he decided to take action after he received a phone call from a constituent last year about a drug house opening up across the street from the person's house. "At three in the morning, they would hear traffic coming to the house. They witnessed the exchange of drugs. They witnessed young children coming to the house during all periods of the day and night," Hardy told the legislature. "They witnessed young girls being delivered to that house and escorted away in a manner that looked extremely suspicious. They ... lost hope and opportunity. They witnessed rising crime and violence in the streets and they gave me a call." Hardy said the constituent's story is one experienced by many Yukoners. "Every day I walk through my riding, whether it's in the morning or the evening, and every day I encounter some form of substance abuse," said Hardy, adding that drug activity in the territory is growing. "The availability of drugs has continued to expand," he said. "The types of drugs that are out there today are far more damaging and deadly than what were out there 20 or 30 or 40 years ago." He said illegal and prescription drugs are responsible for the deaths of Yukoners and the destruction of families. "Many criminal activities can be directly related to drug use. There is no question about it," said Hardy. The two public meetings he hosted were packed, leaving people to stand outside the door. Since the meetings, Hardy has received phone calls regarding drug problems all over the territory. "People were angry. People were confused and people were very, very upset," said Hardy. People want concrete action where the RCMP would enforce laws, shut down drug houses and get rid of needles being left on the streets. But Hardy said enforcement is only one part of the drug solution. "If it were just the answer, it would be resolved because we would just put a bunch of money toward enforcement and the problem would go away," he said. "It has become very obvious around the world that that is not the solution, because it hasn't worked." Hardy said those involved in the summit will have to evaluate the current justice system, drug education methods, law enforcement and treatment programs. Premier Dennis Fentie said his government is willing to allocate the necessary resources to any territory-wide initiatives that stem from the summit. People who will be invited to the summit include professionals in law enforcement and the criminal justice system, as well as health care professionals. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D