Larger paycheques do not lead to increased alcohol consumption, a Health Canada specialist told the panel reviewing the social and environmental impacts of the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline in Inuvik Wednesday.

Fears a pipeline would lead to more alcoholism and family breakdowns, like it did during the Beaufort Delta oil boom of the late 1970s and '80s, are unfounded, Solange van Kemenade said.

"I don't really think increases of income is associated always and directly with increased alcohol and drug use," van Kemenade said.

"I think other factors like education can influence the decisions.… Essentially, education is a powerful determinant of health."

Inuvialuit leader Duane Smith said they have been pushing for more education money to help local people prepare for the proposed 1,200-kilometre pipeline that would take gas from the delta to northern Alberta.

"People need basic skills on how to manage their financial resources … to  minimize the addictions to alcohol and drugs and to educate them enough so they know they shouldn't be doing those things," he said.

The federal government has promised a $500-million social impact fund to help the communities, but Smith said the money has yet to arrive.

The next hearing of the Joint Review Panel will be held in Edmonton on Feb. 26. The panel returns to Inuvik, Aklavik and Yellowknife in March.