Glen Abernethy

This government makes $1.2 million available through the Department of Health and Social Services to support on-the-land programming that is led by different Aboriginal governments across the Northwest Territories. That money flows every year. I can say that there are a number of on-the-land programs that are available. They are all different. Every one of the Indigenous governments has indicated their own way of doing things. They have some specific things they are trying to accomplish at the regional level.

We have said we would make our clinical staff available to them. Some of them have...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning I did have an opportunity to talk with the honourable Member from YK Centre about the report that she mentioned in her statement. I have to admit I do spend a significant amount of my time reading reports and other documents, but I have not read the report that the Member had made reference to this morning. I can confirm that the department is very familiar with the report, has read it, and that that type of research is helping inform the development of the addictions recovery action plan that we spoke about yesterday.

I understand the value of...

Mr. Speaker, during the tour that I attended with the MLAs, of the different facilities, this is one of the topics that came up, and I think it is an important topic and we have to have some more conversation about this and the types of things that we might be able to do to support families of individuals who are struggling with addictions, because it clearly, without question, has an impact not only on the individuals, but on the families, as well. We do have some supports. Community counselling is available not just to individuals struggling with addictions, but to the families, as well. The...

Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, as a result of the mental health and addictions forum, we heard clearly that residents of the Northwest Territories want options and that facility-based treatment is just one option. There are a number of options available to residents that may help support them in their process, which may include preparing them for addictions treatment facilities, but it may not. They may be able to get resolution and the support they need without ever going to an addictions treatment facility. Some of the supports that we do have are: community counselling programs...

In the development of the Addictions Recovery Action Plan, this is the type of thing that we need to be talking about. We need to be talking about new opportunities and new ways of doing business. Harm reduction is an evolving and very interesting way of addressing many of the challenges that our residents face, and we need to be open to it.

I don't want to presuppose a solution, but this is the type of thing that we are hoping to see in the Addictions Recovery Action Plan. In short, I am not going to commit to this as an exact model, but this is the type of model we want to look at, but we...

I believe that we have some of the highest-priced alcohol in the country at this point, but the report has some valuable information, and as I have already indicated, I will be sharing that information with the Minister of Finance, as well as the NWT Liquor Commission, so that they can make evidence-based decisions if and when the opportunity comes to review liquor pricing here in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, in our process of referral to addictions-based treatment facilities, before our residents go there, we have them have a return appointment booked with the counsellor or the referring individual. We cannot make people attend, but that is one of the things that is supposed to happen.

Prior to release from any of the treatment facilities at the successful completion of their program, the facilities have been working with the residents, but also with counsellors in communities to help set up some after-care plans, and a lot of those do depend on things like peer support groups but...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 2016-2017, 212 adults were supported to attend facility-based addiction treatment, and we have an annual budget there of just slightly under $2.1 million. As I mentioned yesterday, youth attending at a service program typically have very complex needs. That may include emotional or behavioural issues, mental health concerns. It might be a serious medical diagnosis. It might be developmental delays and/or addictions. Youth attending these out-of-territory programs are supported through Child and Family Services, so we do not specify these individuals are...

Hospitalizations entirely caused by alcohol is an effective measure of the effectiveness of prevention and treatment programs and provides for evidence-based decision-making. The abuse of alcohol is a cause or a contributing factor in a number of health conditions and is the leading factor of preventable death and disease. Currently, the Department of Health and Social Services tracks that data, and we will continue to track that indicator, hospitalizations entirely caused by alcohol. Just for note, the department will be reporting on this indicator in the 2016-2017 Annual Report, which is...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the Members of the House that the facilities are not the only option. There are community options available whether it is community on-the-land options or whether it is community counsellors or whether it is programs like the Matrix programs. However, facilities are the appropriate venue on some occasions.

When an individual needs a facility-based option, the counsellors will often work with them to explain all of the options and the pros and cons of the different facilities based on the needs of that individual. They will also look at availability. Is there...