Residents' assessment of a community-based alcohol initiative in the Canadian Arctic

This paper evaluated a community-based initiative to control alcohol abuse in the Canadian Arctic by identifying, from an Inuit perspective, what components have been successful in the reduction of alcohol abuse and what components require improvement. Data were collected through interviews with community leaders, supplemented by a broadly-based survey. The most successful strategy in the reduction of alcohol abuse was the imposition of restrictions on the availability of alcohol. Counselling services did to some extent heighten community awareness about the deleterious effects of alcohol misuse, but have had marginal impact on the reduction of abuse. Residents and community leaders involved in running the alcohol program believe that a combination of the establishment of self-help groups, further counsellor training, increased community support, and improved outreach strategies would provide a greater impetus for change leading to the reduction of alcohol abuse within the community.