Yellowknife (Feb 14/03) - Ronald Fatt says alcohol has ruined his life, separated him from his children and taken the lives of at least seven of his childhood friends.

The remorseful Lutsel K'e man was convicted in territorial court of breach of probation and sentenced to a four-day intermittent jail sentence.

Fatt was on probation and was ordered to stay away from alcohol when he was picked up by police on Oct. 17.

RCMP were responding to reports of two men drunk and "wrestling" in an Explorer Hotel hallway.

Fatt, who said he's been sober since the incident, has undergone a 28-day treatment for alcoholism.

"I've been an alcoholic for 10 years and during that time I thought I could handle it," he said.

"You think something is right, you think it's okay, but it's not okay."

He told the court that his highest priority is to get back his children, who have been with social services since July 28.

He said after his sentence he plans to stay sober and move back to Lutsel K'e where he works as a seasonal firefighter and a hunter.

Judge Michel Bourassa listened to Fatt's comments and told him he hoped he was successful.

"You're going to go down to the RCMP station this Friday and stay in their cells over the weekend and see the drunks hauled in and all the screaming and shouting," said Bourassa.

"Maybe you'll see what you're like when you drink and maybe it will strengthen your resolve to quit drinking."

Fatt said the treatment, as well as two books he has read on aboriginals and alcohol abuse, have given him perspective.

"It's been a battle," he said. "I've been hiding behind a bottle -- I've hid my feelings, my social problems, my spiritual problems, my mental and emotional problems.

"But now I'm ready to take the next step."