At their regularly scheduled council meeting, Dec. 16, Kugluktuk hamlet councillors voted unanimously to prohibit the import of alcohol into the community from Dec. 17-Jan. 4.

Cpl. Grant St.Germaine of the local RCMP detachment said the motion gave the council the authority to ask First Air not to ship alcohol from Yellowknife into Kugluktuk.

"The only time we ever have problems in the community is when a large shipment of alcohol comes in," said St. Germaine.

He estimated that in the month of October, when the number of alcohol import permits tripled, $110,000 was spent on the actual purchase of alcohol and on time police spent dealing with alcohol-related crime.

The decision also means the community's holiday games and dancing will be largely alcohol-free.

The events get underway Dec. 20, and carry through at the community complex until Dec. 31.