DRUG DEALERS TOLD TO LEAVE TOWN

Whitehorse Youths Want Problem Looked At

WHITEHORSE - Several young people concerned about increased
drug-dealing are becoming peaceful vigilantes, taking to the streets
to send a message to drug dealers: Get out of Whitehorse.

For the second time this week, more than two dozen young Whitehorse
residents gathered outside Main Street's Capital Hotel to raise
awareness of the violent effects of the city's drug trade on young people.

Some of the people, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said they
were standing guard outside downtown bars to pressure drug dealers to
leave town.

"We need to get rid of the people selling drugs to people in
Whitehorse," one young person said. "This has been building up for a
long time."

One person said the group is trying to get the attention of
Whitehorse and Yukon authorities to let them know they need help.

"We want pressure on them from the police, we want special drug units
sent up here from down south, we want to put pressure on the
politicians and the people who hold authority in this community."

The move was prompted by a recent dance, where two people were assaulted.

One was knocked unconscious and the other had some of his teeth knocked out.

On Wednesday evening, following an anti-drug and violence rally at a
local park, 50 people peacefully entered the Capital Hotel to ask a
suspected drug dealer to leave.

The group, according to the Capital's owner, then split up, with half
staying at the hotel and the rest going to other hotels to approach
other drug dealers.

Another member of the group said they were doing so because the RCMP
didn't appear to be able to do anything about the problems associated
with drug dealers and the violence they inflict.

"It's not that we're doing the RCMP's job, it's just that they don't
seem to have the resources to handle this problem."