Clyde River (Nov 15/04) - Public drunkenness and bootlegging were out of control in Clyde River last July. Intoxicated people could be seen wandering the streets at all hours, with no regard for the public or even their own safety.

Steven Aipellee, senior administrative officer in Clyde River, has been working hard to make sure the community's alcohol education committee meets regularly. - photo courtesy of Peter Iqalukjuak

"When you're yelling and there are five-year-olds out playing, that's a problem," said senior administrative officer Steven Aipellee, who also sits on the community's alcohol education committee.

Alcohol is available in Clyde River only by a permit, which restricts the holder to the purchase of only two 66-ounce bottles per month.

The alcohol education committee is responsible for approving all applications for alcohol, as well as creating awareness about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

When the number of public disturbances was at its peak in July, the committee had not had a proper meeting for the past six months, partly because it was short two of the six members required for a quorum.

Applications for liquor were not being reviewed regularly and were often approved without close scrutiny.

And people were not exactly lining up to join the committee, for fear of negative reactions from those who were refused permits.

"Nobody wants to be on the committee," committee member Mosa Palituq told Nunavut News/North this summer. "Some people think that if somebody's crazy drunk, that person might go after the committee."

The decision was made to involve the RCMP in the approval process. An attempt was also made to recruit new members through ads on the local radio station.

"It's really good for the RCMP to be working with the hamlet and the alcohol committee," said Const. Eric Ootoovak, who is not aware of any charges laid for bootlegging since the changes were made.

Residents came forward

After hearing ads on the radio and reading about the problems in the newspaper, members of the community began to come forward in August, wanting to know about the committee's goals, Aipellee said.

Weekly meetings were then held to review in depth each application for an alcohol permit.

As of Nov. 1, the committee had a full board of seven members.

Twenty people have been temporarily banned from ordering alcohol because of complaints made against them, Aipellee said.

According to the RCMP, the number of incidents classified as drunken disturbances has decreased significantly.

Credit to the community

Aipellee, who grew up in Clyde River, credits the community with turning the problem around and says he has heard many positive comments.

But he has also had a window broken on his van, which he says may or may not be related to his work on the committee.

"There will always be a negative reaction when you're trying to do something positive for the community," Aipellee said.