Kathleen Lippa
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Oct 13/03) - People in Baker Lake will get a chance to vote on two issues Nov. 10: whether or not they want to restrict alcohol in their community and if they want to set up an alcohol education committee.

A plebiscite can be seen as a positive step in restricting the flow of alcohol, but more restrictions don't instantly mean healthier people, Mary Kreelak stressed.

"Some people think of (plebiscites) as good things," said Kreelak, an alcohol and drug worker in Baker Lake. "But some people I have talked to say there is no solution to end alcohol problems."

Restricting booze can backfire as people will simply turn to solvent abuse, said Kreelak.

"They will try and try sniff whatever, like aerosols, or they make home brews. So there's no simple solution to the problem."

But since Baker Lake MLA Glenn McLean and many of her co-workers and friends endorse the plebiscite concept, Kreelak is on the plebiscite band wagon -- encouraging people to pay attention to the issues, and vote on Nov. 10.

"It cuts down on bootlegging at least," she said.

Kreelak also had positive words for the education committee.

"I think once an alcohol committee is formed, people will be allowed order only a limited supply of booze."

Right now, people are ordering too much liquor, she said. The community wants to prevent that from happening. "Although most of them are responsible drinkers, some of them don't know how to drink responsibly.

"They drink to excess. They drink until they get drunk."

In the seven years she's been an alcohol and drug worker, Kreelak has seen alcohol problems get worse.

Police at the Baker Lake detachment say they mostly deal with alcohol- related crimes.

"I'd say the majority of our calls are alcohol- related," said Const. Mike Lokken.