Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Paulatuk (May 13/02) - A group of residents wants to tighten liquor restrictions because of what they say is a growing problem with booze in the community.

"It's an issue that never went away," says 58-year-old Andy Thrasher, who runs the water trucks in town. "A lot of people are concerned about it because there's just too much liquor coming in. Some days here, everybody in town seems to be drunk, or at parties with no end, and not looking after the smaller kids especially."

He says people should be getting out on the land more instead of staying in town drinking.

"This is too nice a place for things like that. We're right in the middle of town, me and my wife, so we see a lot of the people going past, coming and bothering us for a ride, knocking on the door. It gets pretty bothersome sometimes. It's something we've got to deal with."

Elder Edward Ruben, 85, says liquor restrictions would protect the children. "We need to take care of our own people," Ruben says. "I'm older than the town, and I got how many family -- hundreds of grandchildren, great grandchildren. That's the reason why I want to see something done."

In the last two weeks, the hamlet organized two public meetings to discuss bringing liquor restrictions to this community of 320. A plebiscite was held in December 2000, but residents against liquor restrictions were the majority by a narrow margin. Voter turnout was 108, or 82 per cent of the 132 eligible voters, with 55 voting against and 53 voting in favour. To take effect, 60 per cent of voters have to support restrictions.

Another plebiscite on the matter is likely, as the hamlet has collected the necessary 20 signatures to get the process started again.

Mayor Keith Dodge is behind liquor restrictions, but he says he'd like to see how the community responds.

He says he's noticed an increase in alcohol abuse, even in the last half year. "You can see it yourself that people are getting out of hand and creating family problems and everything else that goes with drinking."

He says he'd personally like to see restrictions in place to limit the amount of liquor coming in.