Ex-chief cites problems with alcohol ban in Natuashish

The ban on alcohol in the Labrador community of Natuashish is not as successful as some community leaders have claimed, according to a former Innu band chief.

Earlier this week, the band celebrated the first anniversary of the alcohol ban, and community leaders cited lower truancy rates at the schools and fewer criminal charges as evidence the community was healthier now.

But George Rich told CBC News Thursday the effects of the ban have not all been positive.

He said many people are hopping on their snowmobiles and heading to neighbouring communities to drink.

"If some people were drowned or froze to death on the way to Nain or Hopedale, who's going to take responsibility for that?" he asked.

"This is a disaster waiting to happen. Last spring alone, a couple of young girls went to Hopedale, got their booze, got their drugs, and came riding home, and got lost along the way … A couple of family members went to look for them, and they were stoned between Hopedale … and  Natuashish," Rich said.

Also because of the ban, he said, some people are reluctant to report crimes.

One woman, whose boyfriend gets abusive when he drinks, keeps quiet about it, he said.

"She couldn't go reporting to the police, because she was afraid she was going to be charged as well," Rich said.

The ban makes it illegal to have or sell alcohol or to be intoxicated in the community.

The community narrowly voted to go dry a year ago in a referendum.

Rich supports the goal of getting people to stop drinking. He said he's been sober for years.

But criminalizing the problem just pushes people elsewhere, he said.

Rich would like to see more treatment programs to solve what he calls the disease of alcoholism.