Inuit alcohol treatment program closes in North West River

The closure of an alcohol treatment program in North West River is being described as a devastating blow to the Labrador community, but it's a necessary change according to the Nunatsiavut government that runs it.

The program, known as Saputjivik, is closing its doors in June after operating for 20 years.

North West River Mayor Art Williams said Friday he couldn't believe the program was closing and 15 jobs were being cut.

"It's gonna be a big downfall for North West River," he said.

Nunatsiavut's health minister, Greg Flowers, said the change has been in the works since 2005, when it came up during a series of public forums that travelled from community to community. Flowers said people at the forums said they didn't want the treatment program to be in North West River, in part because some Inuit were sent to a residential school there as children.

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