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.