Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 06/98) - Who needs a bootlegger in a community when you can drive into Yellowknife and get served -- even if you're under age?

This was the concern raised by North Slave MLA James Rabesca in the legislative assembly Wednesday. He says it is simply too easy for young people in his community, Rae-Edzo, to drive into Yellowknife and get served.

"What we are seeing now is these teenagers going into the local Yellowknife bars and being served," he said in a Member's statement. "These students are underage and, legally, are not allowed to enter these premises.

"This has the potential of being an even more serious concern because they must travel back to Rae on Highway 3 and everyone knows the condition of the highway."

About 25 students from Chief Jimmy Bruneau school in Edzo showed their support for their MLA's plea. Led by teacher George MacKenzie, the students filled the gallery for Rabesca's statement.

"The concern in our community and among our students is that the drinking age in the bars is not being enforced," MacKenzie said.

Not all Rabesca's comments were negative, however. He praised the efforts of one city bar, the Gallery, which has asked parents to bring in photos of their underage youth to the bar. This way, it is hoped, staff can better identify those who shouldn't be served.

"I am not sure what the solution is or who do we lay blame on," Rabesca said. "We have laws that are to be enforced. It is, however, obvious that the bars in general across the North are not following these. Do we need to raise the legal drinking age or do we need to focus more on enforcement and prevention?

"I do not know the answers," he said in conclusion. "This is, however, a very serious territorial-wide concern and something must be done about it as soon as possible."