The government of Nova Scotia is looking into what it can do to prevent a drunk driver who killed a Cape Breton couple from drinking again.

Michael Cooper will be released from prison next week and has admitted to the parole board that he will likely drink again.

The family of one of Cooper’s victims wants his picture circulated to bars and liquor stores so he can’t buy liquor. The family says they should be held responsible if he does.

Places that sell alcohol in Cape Breton’s Richmond County will be on alert but one pub owner in St. Peter’s says there’s only so much they can do.

“For myself, as a business owner, it’s pretty hard to wait at doors for people to come in and say ‘you’re not allowed in here because you’ve done this, that or the other thing,’” says Louis Boudreau.

Cooper will be released from prison on Wednesday after serving his full seven-year sentence. He was behind the wheel in May 2004 when he collided head-on with another vehicle, killing 19-year-old Angela Smits and her boyfriend, 20-year-old Michael MacLean.

The Nova Scotia minister responsible for the Liquor Control Act say the government is considering the Smits’ request to distribute Cooper’s picture to bars and liquor stores.

“I think it has got a high priority and we’re watching and wanting to participate in any way we can, to see what we can do,” says Diana Whalen.

“It’s a tragedy and the community is understandably upset and concerned.”

Management at one St. Peter’s tavern say they support the idea and would gladly post Cooper’s picture and information for employees, if directed to do so by government.

Some area residents are also endorsing the area.

“My mother was killed by an impaired driver,” says Tom Sim. “If it cuts down their chances of being impaired and driving, I think it’s a good idea.”

Government says a high-risk offender committee made up of police and justice staff is already meeting on the issue. If approved, Whalen says public notification would be carried out by local police.

The local RCMP detachment says they have not yet been contacted by government to be a part of the committee and they know nothing of any possible responsibility to notify the public of Cooper’s release, beyond their duty to enforce the 22 conditions he is under for two years after his release.

The conditions include not drinking alcohol and staying away from places where it is the primary source of business.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald