COCAINE AND CRYSTAL METH DESTROYING IQALUIT

I am a concerned beneficiary of Nunavut. I was so disappointed while
I was in my old home town of Iqaluit last summer.

There are so many cocaine users this year, more then ever before, and
I noticed that there are more family issues then ever before with all
the cocaine and crystal meth in town.

There are kids out there who are not being taken care of because
their parents are spending their money on cocaine and crystal meth.

How could you live with yourselves knowing that your kids are
starving while you are using these hard drugs? You get more pleasure
using this hard drug while your kids are starving? Do you even think
about your kids when you're high?

Do you ever start to wonder if your kids are being sexually abused
while you're high on cocaine?

I have a message for all those people and parents who are using
crystal meth and cocaine.

Now you know why there are so many suicides in Nunavut. It's because
of the amount of hard drugs that are coming in your community and
because of all the bootleggers.

Think about it. The dealers and the bootleggers don't give a damn
about kids in Nunavut because they only care about themselves. As
long as they make money and then leave Nunavut, they don't care about
anyone except themselves

What would you do if you sold the hard drugs to someone and they died
from overdoses?

I love my old home Iqaluit, but I am so happy, in a way, that I
moved, as it's hard to watch my people destroy their lives because of
hard drugs.

I can name the stuff you can do besides getting involved with that
cocaine and crystal meth as we all say what is there to do.

Go on the land and teach your kids about their culture. Take them out
during the weekend for a little treat instead of using your money for
hard drugs or booze. Take them out swimming as there is a swimming
pool in the community. Do their homework with them. Get them a dog so
you have an excuse to take them for a walk. Go visit more with them
to let them know who is their family is. Go to watch movies with them
during the weekends,

Take them out for a Sunday brunch and make that a habit every Sunday,

I have one more thing to say to those cocaine and crystal meth users.

Take a good look at your self in the mirror and ask yourself, do I
look cool now that I am high from that yummy drug. I am sure you will
come to realize one day that this isn't worth it as life is way too
short. So please wake up and smell that coffee, and start realizing
that hard drugs aren't worth it, especially if you are a parent.

Pauline Alainga

Alberta