Another big liquor bust in Sahtu
MLA says control over Norman Wells liquor is needed
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 21, 2013
TULITA/FORT NORMAN
The most recent alcohol bust in Tulita highlights the need for restrictions at the liquor store in Norman Wells, says Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya.
RCMP seized 77 bottles of vodka and 12 cans of beer in Tulita on Oct. 12. Two people were charged and are due in court next month. - photo courtesy of RCMP |
RCMP seized 75 mickey bottles of vodka, as well as a one-litre bottle and a 750 ml bottle of vodka and 12 750 ml cans of beer in Tulita on Oct. 12, according to a press release.
Three people were charged under the NWT Liquor Act and are due in court on Nov. 12. Tulita is a restricted community.
Yakeleya said the incident emphasizes the importance of setting limits in Norman Wells.
"From the recent bust, we still have the issue of the impacts of the unrestricted liquor sales at the Norman Wells liquor store," he said. "There are still opportunities there for people in our surrounding communities to purchase as much liquor as they can and they still are bringing it into the communities."
Yakeleya is spearheading a private members' bill, known as Bill 24, which would amend the Liquor Act to permit communities in the Sahtu region to call for and vote in future liquor plebiscites.
Norman Wells has the only liquor store in the region, and restrictions on the amount of alcohol purchased at the store were lifted in 2012.
Yakeleya said since then, bootlegging has increased. He said the most recent bust is an example of a burgeoning illegal alcohol business.
"Those bottles that were seized were going to go to the bootlegging operations," he said.
Earlier this year, RCMP seized three cases of vodka from snowmobilers travelling back to Tulita from Norman Wells in April. Another 83 bottles of vodka were seized in a similar incident that same month.
In September, members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations travelled throughout the Sahtu to hear residents' thoughts on the proposed changes to the Liquor Act.
Yakeleya said in addition to speaking about the possible amendment, the meetings allowed residents to talk about how alcohol has affected their lives.
"This issue is bigger than just Bill 24," he said. "It gave the people an opportunity to really say, in front of the community, how alcohol has affected their lives and the people's lives in their communities."
Yakeleya said one of the most important issues he heard was the need for a treatment facility and increased support for people addicted to alcohol.
"We are falling way short of helping our people in our communities in regards to them receiving treatment programs and counselling," he said. "We have a very young population in the Sahtu that are dealing with the alcohol and drug abuse and if we don't do anything, our communities are going to be severely impacted by not having the resources or programs there for people who want to get help."
Yakeleya said members of the standing committee reviewed the bill on Oct. 16 and an amendment was made at that time. The bill was being prepared to be discussed in the legislative assembly later in the week.
