BEHCHOKO - Alcohol prohibition in Behchoko hasn't stopped people from drinking liquor, solvents, even disinfectant spray, and some say community leaders aren't doing enough to stop it from happening.

In February, Behchoko RCMP responded to 30 violations under the Liquor Act - up from 17 violations in February 2009 - despite a 51 per cent majority of the community voting in favour of an alcohol ban, which came into effect on June 15, 2009.

One person was recently convicted of importing solvents into the community and fined $440, according to Community Justice and Victim Services, and police reported 47 of Behchoko's 1,973 residents are awaiting court appearances on April 1 for Liquor Act violations.

Most community members contacted by News/North - residents, band council members, even the RCMP, declined to talk about the effects of prohibition on the community.

"I don't want to talk about it because half the people are going to gang up on me for saying what I believe is right," said one prominent community member. "It's such a controversial issue."

Those that did speak about it said the ban exists only in theory, not in practice.

Resident Cecilia Ashton said she supported the prohibition for the good of the community, but she said it is not being enforced.

"It hasn't made any difference. I don't know if anybody follows it," she said. "I don't know if the community leaders are putting any pressure on. Even the cops, they're not doing much ... we don't see them very often."

Former Behchoko chief Leon Lafferty said he doesn't think the ban is working, although he said since he's been out of politics he doesn't get out in the community as often.

"It hasn't changed anything," he said. "It's just giving more work to the police."

Current Chief Clifford Daniels could not be reached for comment.

Behchoko RCMP responded to a total of 211 calls last month, an increase of 20 per cent from February 2009.

In Tuktoyaktuk, where restrictions on how much alcohol is allowed into the community were implemented March 1, police reported no charges laid because of violations of the new rules.

RCMP Const. Ben Kershaw said the detachment, serving the Western Arctic community of about 900, has lately received fewer calls than usual.

"The constables are out checking vehicles on the ice road and in the summer they'll be looking to see how much (alcohol) is coming in off the plane," Kershaw said, adding that it is too early to tell whether the restrictions will be effective in cutting down on liquor-related incidents in the long-term.

Seven NWT communities prohibit alcohol and liquor restrictions have been imposed in 10 other communities.