Fort Smith residents call for more support for youth after alarming RCMP report

The latest crime report presented by the Fort Smith RCMP is causing alarm in the community. 

As first reported by Cabin Radio, the report, presented during at a recent town council meeting, detailed troubling statistics of mischief, theft and other offences. At the meeting, RCMP said many of the incidents involved intoxicated youth. 

As Cabin reported, police said youth as young as 12 were found intoxicated and needing medical attention, some have even ended up in jail cells overnight to sober up.

Mayor-elect Dana Fergusson was in the meeting and was shocked by the revelation. She's also concerned about the ease with which young people can obtain alcohol in the community.

"If they want it, they know where to go," she said. "And that's an adult doing that. I'm like, 'What are you doing?'"

Fergusson points to systemic issues, particularly the limited access to outpatient services for individuals seeking help. 

If someone comes back to the community after treatment, it's hard to find the support they need, she said. She added there needs to be better follow-up services. 

"If they want a clean, sober living or make the change for themselves, they have to be able to access those resources, and it's pretty hard here in our community," she said.

She recognizes some organizations, like Uncle Gabe's Friendship Centre and the town's recreation centre, are working to keep kids engaged.

Earlier this year, Fergusson said the director of community services asked for a position to be created specifically to engage with high-risk youth, but that it's been hard to fill that role.

Fergusson said she'd like to see additional resources coming from the territorial government to help the efforts of "boots on the ground people." 

Amy Harris is the executive director of Uncle Gabe's Friendship Centre. She echoes Fergusson's call for additional resources and says Fort Smith urgently needs an outreach program.

"If there's funding, I would definitely be willing to take that on," she said. "We have a van, and we've done outreach before. I know it can be done. We just need the resources."

Harris said that proactive outreach would help all residents that find themselves in dangerous situations — and prevent youth from ending up in jail cells.

"I mean, they're young. Being put in jail, it's traumatizing for them," she said. "There's no detox here, no treatment centre. That's what we need. A jail cell is not a place for detox." 

Harris also said that there needs to be better access to resources when they are needed. 

"We need outreach teams out there talking to these kids, seeing what's going on with them. Give them food, warm clothing, offer them help. It's about being proactive, not just waiting until something bad happens."

Both Fergusson and Harris believe that tackling youth drinking in Fort Smith will take a combined effort from community members, local organizations, leaders, and the territorial government. 

"That's important, because these are all our kids," Harris said, adding that her door is always open to youth that need support.