Labrador Innu chief says ban on alcohol has been temporarily suspended

NATUASHISH, N.L. - The new chief of an aboriginal community in Labrador says a ban on alcohol has been suspended for now.

Simeon Tshakapesh says a decision on the ban will be made by Natuashish councillors after a public meeting on the issue on March 23. The community narrowly voted to outlaw booze more than two years ago following a generations-long battle against alcohol abuse.

Meanwhile, the RCMP says it continues to enforce the ban.

The Mounties say calls for service and the number of arrests in the community have dropped substantially since the ban was introduced.

In 2002, the Innu of Davis Inlet began a resettlement to Natuashish in a move aimed at helping them overcome widespread problems with alcoholism, family violence and substance abuse.