Scores of people, including numerous students, took part in the annual Tree of Peace Wellness Walk early Monday afternoon.
The event, which has been held for more than 50 years (formerly as the Sober Walk), raises awareness about the harms of substance abuse and promotes healthy lifestyles.
“We’re sort of concentrating on prevention this year,” said Katherine Arden, community wellness manager for the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre. “We want to make people aware that it’s National Addictions Awareness Week and that there are alternatives to using drugs and alcohol.”
She said the number of participants varies each year, but they usually aim for at least 100 walkers. The event is a way of showing solidarity and support for those who are struggling with addiction or have lost someone to addiction.
Students from Sir John Franklin High School, Mildred Hall School and Aurora College were among those who showed up this year. They carried posters with slogans such as “Don’t do drugs,” “Don’t smoke cigarettes,” and “Don’t drink alcohol.”
The walk started at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre and followed a circuit along 51 Street, Franklin Avenue, Reddi Mart and Centre Square Mall.
After the walk, participants were treated to pizza and beverages at the Tree of Peace along with a speech by a representative from the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority.
“It’s a way of saying we care — we’re here, we’re listening and we’re willing to help,” said Arden.
Beyond the walk, the Tree of Peace also provides help for people who are facing intergenerational trauma, which can affect mental health and sometimes lead to substance abuse.
“You can’t deal with one without doing the other eventually,” said Cynthia Dearborn, community wellness counsellor with the friendship centre. “We send them to treatment centres if they request that, and we just provide them with as much support as we can.”
She added that her main approach is cognitive behaviour therapy, which works well with addictions, trauma and mental health issues. She said she also uses other methods, depending on the individual’s needs and preferences.
Dearborn said the centre also does some outreach work, such as delivering a psycho-educational course called Living in Balance or Journey to Recovery at the Salvation Army and the Yellowknife Women’s Centre. The course covers topics such as addiction, coping skills, relapse prevention, self-esteem, communication and relationships.
The Tree of Peace welcomes more support from the GNWT for addictions and trauma recovery, as there is a high need and it continues to grow, according to Dearborn.
“There’s a lot of people that need help and there’s a lot of people that want help,” she said.
