Fort Good Hope (Jan 24/05) - The future for Fort Good Hope will be a dry one - at least for the time being.

A voluntary, six-month prohibition took effect Jan. 2, in the hamlet of almost 800 residents.

The initiative was confirmed by the band council and community at a meeting Monday night, said Cpl. Donna Rorison of the Fort Good Hope RCMP.

A plebiscite will also be held to determine whether a longer-term ban is desired, the 45-50 residents who attended the meeting decided.

"We will request one year," said Rorison, a member of the working group that brought the ban proposal to the community.

Years of harm and suffering from the impacts of the bottle have led residents to this point, said Thomas Manuel, an elder and former community health representative.

"Nobody explained what alcohol would do in 1959 and '60 when it was introduced into the community," he said.

"Now they're in the graveyard and the families are still suffering."

Crime in the tiny community is staggering, sickness from alcohol-related disease is common and younger generations are picking up drinking habits from their parents, he said.

"We all went crazy when it was introduced," Manuel said.

"The way the (youth) see it, it's the way they thought life was. Now they sit there carrying their anger. When I talk to the young people I say, 'Don't blame yourself.'"

Enforcement of the ban shouldn't pose a problem, Rorison said.

"It's not that big a deal because it's voluntary," she said. "Even those who drink want this."

Manuel agreed, although he believes the majority of the community is against the ban. Teaching and support will help those who drink, he said.

"The people that are into alcohol won't be hit too bad."

Community efforts are already underway to curb bootlegging.

The RCMP would not comment on how it will enforce the ban.

Nothing has yet been carved in stone, but activities and workshops will be used to help the community during the detox period. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, drum dances and recreational, training and social support programs are all being discussed.

"Whatever normal healthy people use to fill their lives," said Rorison. A petition signed by 20 qualified voters must be sent to the ministry requesting a plebiscite, said Delilah St. Arneault, manager of liquor licensing and enforcement.

Once the plebiscite is completed, which requires 60 per cent of the population to be in favour, the results are sent to the minister for approval.

Northern communities are no stranger to this process, she explained. Many have already conducted plebiscites which resulted in liquor restrictions or bans.

"The problems here are no different than anywhere else," said Rorison. "Fort Good Hope people are just smart and strong enough to take charge."