N.W.T. community moves ahead with energy drink ban

The Hamlet of Aklavik is taking the health of community members into its own hands, and banning the sale of energy drinks at all municipal buildings.

"Energy drinks and pop and all that have tremendous amounts of sugar, and everyone knows that is a leading factor in diabetes and obesity," said Fred Behrens, Aklavik's senior administrative advisor.

Town councillors passed the motion banning energy drinks in August, after a health policy PhD student doing research in the community made a "presentation to council about how a community, by setting policy, can help the residents with health issues," said Behrens. 

Instead of sugary drinks, the hamlet now stocks bottles of water at the community's recreational complex.

"We feel that by providing healthy drinks, and letting our residents get more information on healthy living, we'll see positive results all around."

The hamlet is challenging other N.W.T. communities to pass similar motions, but Behrens "hasn't heard anything back yet."

In the meantime, the hamlet is making other changes to encourage healthy living.

"We're just waiting to hear back from [the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs] and the federal government about funding to build a new fitness centre and zamboni shed attached to our arena," said a hopeful Behrens.

The community also "just completed a [second] baseball field," so young children will have a place to exercise, even when adult league games are going on.