Many Kuujjuaq kids suffer from parents’ drinking
I am writing to voice my opinion about the matter of alcohol use and abuse by many people in town. Inuit have developed a different physiological character than non-natives. One can readily observe this, for example, if the hands are bare on a cold day. White people would be soon wincing in pain, whereas an Inuk would not be too concerned.
A learned colleague of mine has a theory that Inuit metabolize alcohol at a much higher rate than the general population. They feel the effect more strongly and, it would follow, are more susceptible to the disease of alcoholism, much the same way as some communities have a high number of diabetics.
Anyway, the issue I am getting at is of the neglect and abuse the children of heavy drinkers have to endure. The words “need” and “must” I will try to avoid.
It seems that social services does not have the staff and resources to adequately deal with the situation. Children in worst cases are removed, only to be returned when the adults sober up, and so it goes again and again. I think that if the main goal in a parent’s life is to be drinking, then the children should be taken from them. We have a responsibility to care for those who are unable to care for themselves.
A residence should be opened in Nunavik for those kids. As it now stands, kids are given a place to stay only if they become a “difficult case.” A safe and caring home should be available to all our children even if it is in an institution.
When dropping by the school I am left with the impression that it is a place under siege, just getting by, as often students come from these abusive circumstances. There is hell to pay if we turn a blind eye, and we pay it year after year.
Our leaders are sensitive to your opinions so let them know if you feel this is an important issue. Perhaps a few less back-patting galas are in order. Let’s get our priorities right.
Anonymous
Kuujjuaq
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