Alcohol control by referendum in northern native communities: The Alaska local option law

When Alaska became a state in 1959, state laws took control of alcohol regu lation from the federal government and Native communities. In 1981, however , the state legislature changed the alcohol laws to give residents broad po wers, via a local option referendum, to regulate how alcohol comes into the ir communities. By mid-1999, 112 small communities had held nearly 200 alco hol control elections under the state law. Of these elections, 69% added ne w restrictions on alcohol, while 13% removed restrictions previously impose d. The remaining 18% did not receive the majority vote needed to change the existing status. Most communities passing local option restrictions chose to ban sale and importation of alcohol. Although most of these elections oc curred during the first eight years after the law was passed, elections con tinue to occur as the law evolves and as communities debate the merits of a lcohol control. Growing evidence suggests that the local option law may red uce adverse effects of alcohol abuse in Alaska Native communities. However, the law's most important contribution may be to restore a limited form of self-government to these communities.