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Garth Brown calls for a better detox centre

Garth Brown wants to be the person on Whitehorse city council who fights for the little people. And by that he means the homeless, the alcoholics and anyone else with a substance abuse problem.
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Garth Brown wants to be the person on Whitehorse city council who fights for the little people.

And by that he means the homeless, the alcoholics and anyone else with a substance abuse problem, he said.

The 61-year-old is running for a seat on city council in the upcoming municipal election. He also ran in the 2012 election, obtaining 256 votes.

A recovering alcoholic, Brown has been sober for almost seven years.

If elected, he wants to see the city partner with the Yukon government to build a proper detox facility.

“Not like the one they have at ADS (government’s alcohol and drug services unit), which is a block away from the liquor store,” he said. “Something that’s not within walking distance. Out of town, preferably.”

Brown envisions a 60- or 90-day program where patients can benefit from a life coach, and attending AA meetings at least three times a week.

He said he knows how hard it is to kick a habit and get your life back on track.

“I was borrowing, wheeling and dealing all the time,” he said. “It’s not an easy life to express. It’s yesterday’s news and I don’t want to go back there.”

He said he has other ideas to share but needs help in developing them. He’s still looking for someone to help him run his campaign before the Oct. 15 election.

“I need someone to verbalize all this stuff for me,” he added.

Brown has been battling a series of health problems lately, but things are looking up.

He’s beaten cancer and now he’s focused on beating hepatitis C, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, he said.

“It’s all looking good.”

Brown has called Whitehorse home for the past 15 years.

Originally from Prince George, B.C., he first came to the Yukon in 1971 as a long-haul truck driver and fell in love with the territory.

“This is the nicest country I’ve ever lived in - and I’ve lived all over,” he said.

He’s also worked for several Whitehorse non-profits in the past including Blood Ties Four Directions, Yukon Learn and the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition.

The municipal election will be held on Oct. 15.

Contact Myles Dolphin at

myles@yukon-news.com