Nearly 100 people marched down 51st St. to bring awareness to addictions on Monday.
Addiction is the cause of pain, says Katherine Arden, wellness manager for the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre.
Hosted by the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre, Arden says they changed the name of the walk to have a more wholesome approach to healing.
It was once called the sober march.
The wellness walk is a reminder that people are struggling and need help, Arden says.
Residents, young and old were seen carrying signs, chanting and making noise in support of the cause.
This year Sir John Franklin High School, St. Patrick High School, Foster Family Coalition, RCMP, Salvation Army, The Tree of Peace Adult Education class and other members of the public participated in the march.
After the march, 50 participants gathered at the Salvation Army for snacks and refreshments.
The NWT suffers from one of the highest per-capita alcohol consumption rates in the country, according to a 2018 report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information — the NWT has the highest national average of substance-related hospital stays.
Arden says, hopefully, residents will get the help they need before things get worse.
The Tree of Peace Friendship Centre celebrates over 30 years hosting the march.
