15 months later: What's happened since Behchoko lifted its alcohol ban?

The chief of Behchokosays there have beenmore public disturbances related to alcohol butfewerappearances on the court docketsince the community's liquor ban was lifted over a year ago.

"Obviously just due to having the change there's less court dockets," said Clifford Daniels. "Less people being charged for having liquor in a prohibited area."

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Daniels said there has been a slight increase in DUIs and mischief, but he said "I think that's the whole process. It's just due to adjusting to changes."

Behchoko residents voted in 2016 to lift the ban on alcohol in the community.Daniels said over the last few years ithas shifted from total alcohol prohibition, to alcohol rationing, to lifting the ban.

"I think it was very hard for the community to adjust," he said.

Daniels said lifting the prohibition has made it easier for outsiders coming into the community, because it's brought Behchokoin line with"the norm of Canadian laws" and some outsiders had struggled with the ban.

'We can't control everybody'

Statistics from the RCMP also show a significant decrease in Liquor Act charges, and an increase in mischief, public intoxication, and disturbancesmostlyrelated to alcohol.

From January to May 2016, there were 385 calls to police related to the Liquor Act. During the same time period in 2018, there were only 46.

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Meanwhile, there were658 calls aboutpublic intoxication, disturbances, and mischief from January to May in 2016, and 801 calls in 2017

"As leaders in the community, we can't control everybody," said Daniels. "It's really up to the individuals to behave within the laws that we have."

Daniels said there was also a spike in calls related to alcohol last year duringthe Tlicho assembly, held in Behchoko.But he saidthiswas largely caused by others coming into the community.

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Daniels said education is key to ensuring the community is adjusting to the change. He said he's encouraging the RCMP to talk about alcohol with students, which is something they have always done.

TheTlicho governmentis also trying to integrate alcohol awareness into its wellness programs.

The community currently doesn't have a bar or liquor store.Daniels said the idea has been suggested, but nothing has been brought to council yet