AKLAVIK - Residents of Aklavik are discussing ways to curb underage drinking in the community.

RCMP Cpl. Holly Glassford said Aklavik's officers have been receiving many calls from residents lately, who complain about parties or encounters with young people who appear to be drunk.

"It's one of the biggest problems," Glassford said on May 23.

"We have been getting many concerns from residents."

On the evening of May 22, nearly 30 people attended a meeting held at the community's learning centre to discuss the problem.

Nurses from the health centre held a presentation on the dangers of alcohol, and representatives from Social Services also talked about its dangers.

Glassford said future meetings are also being planned, and one resident suggested they be broadcast on local radio.

"We could be having these meetings once a month. The biggest thing is letting kids know someone cares."

One resident, who attended the meeting but did not wish to be named, told News/North she was disappointed not to see many councillors or mayor Knute Hansen in attendance, though councillor Jerome Gordon did attend on behalf of the hamlet.

Aklavik does not have a liquor store, and alcohol is brought in on planes from Inuvik.

The community voted against a liquor plebiscite, which would have restricted alcohol in the community in July 2004, and today counts as an "unrestricted" community under the GNWT Liquor Act.