Unintended consequences of local alcohol restrictions in rural Alaska

ABSTRACT

Since 1981, Alaskans have had the ability to enact by referendum local restrictions in alcohol sales, importation, and possession, known as “local options.” Intended to empower rural communities to reduce alcohol abuse and associated violence and trauma, the “local option” laws have led to unintended consequences as individuals in alcohol-restricted communities seek intoxication from both legal and illegal sources of alcohol. Based on 68 interviews with 72 community members in eight rural sites in Alaska, this article examines these unintended consequences of local options restrictions and provides context to the challenges rural communities face in implementing alcohol policies.

KEYWORDS:

• Alaska
• alcohol
• indigenous
• law
• policy
• restrictions

Acknowledgments

This work would not have been possible without the support and generosity of the communities, tribes, and interview participants as well as the tireless work of my colleagues, friends, and fellow interviewers, Lisa Dirks, Dr. Roland Moore, and Kirsten Thompson.

Additional information

Funding

Research for this article was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse under grant #R01 DA015966 (J. Grube, PI).