ALCOHOL A FACTOR IN SUICIDES: RCMP

Ban Considered As Inuit Deaths Climb in Remote Nain

NAIN, Nfld. (CP) -- The number of suicides continues to climb in
Labrador's largest Inuit community, a remote town racked by widespread
alcoholism.

In the past six months, six people have committed suicide in the
coastal community of 1,300.

And RCMP officials say alcohol was a factor in almost every case.

The latest suicide was reported yesterday when police reported the
discovery of a body in a home.

Sources in the community said the 34-year-old man hanged himself
Wednesday after his common-law wife failed to return home after a
drinking binge.

Premier Brian Tobin said any solution to Nain's problems has to come
from the community itself. However, he said if he was living in Nain,
he would push for a ban on alcohol sales.

"I would certainly be part of a group that would be working to put a
moratorium in place - absolutely," Tobin said.

The president of the Labrador Inuit Association, William Barbour, said
"a fairly large portion" of the community supports such a ban, but
more work needs to be done before such a drastic step is taken.

"Everyone wants us to take giant steps," said Barbour, who has
previously admitted to having a drinking problem. "This process
requires little steps. This is a long process and we have a long way
to go."

RCMP Sergeant Kevin Baillie, who was posted in Nain just seven months
ago, said the latest death has mobilized some residents to act.

"There seems to be a strong will among a growing group of people to get
out and be heard in regards to the sale of beer," he said. "If there
was ever a time when a protest could have an effect, now is the time."

Earlier this week, a cargo vessel carrying 134,000 cans of beer was
met by a small group of protesters when it arrived at the town wharf.

Labrador Inuit Association

And about 20 demonstrators carrying placards gathered Wednesday
outside the Puff & Snack convenience store, which is the only retail
outlet that sells beer in Nain.

The store ran out of beer in February and a fresh supply couldn't be
brought in until after the sea ice had broken up.

Residents were limited to buying one case of 24 beers per day, a
measure introduced a few years ago to prevent hoarding.

But the store owner, feeling the heat from the protesters, now says
the limit will be cut to 12 beers per day.

The only bar in town, at the Atsanik Lodge, also ran out of beer
during the winter, although it continued to sell hard liquor.

The bar was the fourth-largest buyer of liquor among all licensed
establishments in the province last year.

It came ahead of 1,164 other bars and restaurants, though the owner
insists the numbers were skewed by the lack of beer, which is cheaper.

"I think you're going to see more protests," said Baillie. "We had a
busy night with about 10 complaints, all alcohol-related."

The officer said the community needs more health-care workers to help
alcoholics deal with their addictions.

"The Labrador Inuit Health Commission is already overworked," he
said.

In a bid to solve some of Nain's social problems, a group of
volunteers recently drafted a report based on discussions with residents.