Just over a year ago, Whitehorse resident Chris Putnam, 22, took his own life.

Putnam struggled with drugs and alcohol for years. His death spurred one of his friends, Hailey Van Bibber, to petition the government for more youth addiction services.

Bibber presented nearly 600 signatures to the health department, but some of Putnam’s friends say there is still a lack of treatment programs.

Bobby Brown, 26, was a friend of Putnam’s. He said youth with addictions need help.

“It shouldn’t have happened. He did the best he could, and we’re kind of putting out a message that this stuff shouldn’t happen and we should all put in a little bit more of effort into the community,” said Brown.

Brown has also had his own struggles with drugs and alcohol.

“I struggled with marijuana and cocaine usage… I do believe the first time I smoked marijuana I was 11 years old,” he said.

Brown said teens in the territory aren’t given enough help to overcome problems like these.

“The community should realize what happened and we should try to further ourselves and grow from it,” said Brown.

Kyle McCormick, 20, also knew Putnam. At 16, McCormick became addicted to alcohol and he was only helped after he got in trouble with the law. He said it’s hard for kids to be clean and sober when the society they live in isn’t.

“The whole town basically drinks. Society today is related to drugs and alcohol,” he said.

Putnam’s parents have set out donation boxes at some local stores for youth outdoor programs. Those who donate are given red wristbands in Chris Putnam’s memory, inscribed with the message, ‘I tried’.

The territorial government has promised to provide specific addiction programs for youth.

The Youth of Today Society in Whitehorse raised the same issue last spring when Van Bibber's petition came out.