Clyde River (Sep 06/04) - Bootlegging incidents and problems with public drunkenness have decreased about two months after the community brought the RCMP into the liquor application approval process.

In June, there had been problems with public drunkenness and bootlegging.

Since then, the committee has been meeting an average of once a week to thoroughly review liquor applications.

The RCMP now sees all liquor applications prior to the alcohol committee.

"I've seen a dramatic decrease over the last month. Things are doing much better," said RCMP Const. Eric Ootoovak. One person can order two 66-ounce bottles of alcohol per month at a total cost of about $190 including freight, said senior administrative officer Steven Aipellee.

Short of quorum by two members, people were thought to be afraid of joining the committee because of violent reactions from bootleggers and those whose applications were not approved.

But awareness raised by radio ads and an article in the July 16 edition of Nunavut News/North brought forward two new members expected to be added to the committee Sept. 2, Aipellee said.

"Before, liquor applications were being approved without a meeting," Aipellee said. "We try and meet once a week because we don't want to see 20 or 30 applications approved in one meeting."

Applicants who are at a higher risk to bootleg may also be pointed out by the RCMP.