Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2006 Source: Nunatsiaq News (CN NU) Copyright: 2006 Nortext Publishing Corporation Contact: http://www.nunatsiaq.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/694 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n988/a06.html IGLOOLIK IS OVERRUN WITH POT-HEADS I read the article on Mr. Devries. ("Busted pot politician plans carving giveaway," July 28.) What a joke. This is one guy who's been using his product way too many times. I live in Igloolik and am not a pothead. I've used pot in the past of course but I grew up. Igloolik has such strong traditional ways and values, but you wouldn't know it on a day-to-day basis because of the "potheads" overrunning the place. What I see with all the pot being used is not medicinal use. Instead it is very much abused. We have kids in elementary school with drug problems. You can still ignore that? Let me share some things that you, the "pothead" is refusing to see, all for the love of getting "high." I see kids not growing up to their potential. I see families selling everything they own to pay for pot. I see elders heartbroken. I see family members hurting one another when they are "low." The "low," unfortunately, comes after every "high" and it will make you do stuff that you will surely regret. I see suicides when they can't cope. I see people become criminals. I see people not caring. I see your drug dealers living well with the money you had to scrounge for. I see your drug dealers paying for stuff that you only dream about with thousands of dollars cash. I see devoted people who endlessly look for donations and fundraising to feed our children at school every day (Thank you Carolyn Macdonald and others at Northern and Co-op for all your help every month.) I work for a living. I pay taxes that are intended to feed and clothe your children and I wish that were so. There have been way too many drug dealers in Igloolik. How much money has Igloolik and Hall Beach spent on search-and-rescues for drug runners who haven't made their destination due to weather? This is where we live guys, it's a joke because of drugs. And Reverend Eddy you are already a joke with your Marijuana Party. I have to admit it seems that most of Igloolik are "potheads," but we care about what you do to our community, which is not "healing" by the way. I don't think I'm alone in saying that you are not welcome in our community. Lastly, this would certainly be the one and only time that I'd love to be on a jury. If you decide to publish this, I wouldn't feel safe about publishing my name due to the possibility of my children being targeted. (Name withheld by request) Igloolik - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake