Elder laments the plight of drunks

The following remarks were made by an elder during a trial in Taloyoak on Jan. 26:

“I’ve seen a lot of drunks in my life. I know what he is going through when he says he lives among people that drink and I can understand growing up with alcohol around, family and friends. I’ve seen people drunk to the point when they can’t get up anymore.

“He’s a very understanding man and really realized what he is doing.

“When we come to resources for people like this young man there is absolutely nothing and when there is nothing for them to do it makes it harder for the youth to turn to someone when they know there is nothing. They feel like they are blocked. They come across a wall when they have problems.”

From a transcript by court reporter Roberta Baty.