In both jobs he has seen a continuous cycle that starts with alcohol. Kimball said native students from the Far North often can't keep up with their classes and end up missing school and taking up drinking. Eventually they get into a pattern of late night drinking and missing school and can't keep up their level of concentration. They often turn to crime, living on the streets and end up facing charges. The cycle continues, said Kimball, who has heard too many stories from students about the illegal booze selling operations known as booze cans.
Kids drop out of school, stay out all night long, have nowhere to stay and become street kids.
Booze cans are contributing to that kind of lifestyle. They're making money and taking advantage of kids. When I hear that it gets me really angry inside. Kimball said 50 native students surveyed about problems they face going to school in a new community all listed alcohol and drugs as one of their top five problems. Booze cans have also been connected with violence.