Glen Abernethy

Mr. Speaker, the Member did share with me a very informative video on the different options around harm control, including this particular drug. I did share that with the department and asked them to include it in their information to help them have an informed, current, modern addictions recovery action plan. I anticipate that that work will be done. I will confirm that it is part of the plan moving forward. It does not mean that we are committing to providing that drug because I think there are some issues with whether or not it is actually available in Canada or not, that we need to really...

Mr. Speaker, I'm not going to create the additional work of having two parallel activities happening at the same time. We were working on the addictions recovery action plan. I hear the Member loud and clear. I hear the Members loud and clear. I feel the same way, and this is part of the work that we are intending to do in the addictions recovery action plan. So, rather than duplicating our efforts, I would prefer to keep us on track to that particular plan and include the work that the Members are suggesting.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to dealing with issues for youth, whether it is addictions or mental health issues, they are very complex, so they require a specific attention. Out-of-territory facility-based treatment for youth with complex needs, which may be addictions or it may be mental health issues are a number of facilities: we have the PLEA Community Services in BC that we utilize, the Wood's Homes in Alberta, and Ranch Ehrlo in Saskatchewan.

Youth attending an out-of-territory program are supported through Child and Family Services. The Trail Cross Treatment in Fort Smith provides some...

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...

I know the Member is passionate about this particular area. The Member and I actually were part of the review that was done of Child and Family Services in the 16th Assembly that came up with 76 recommendations to improve Child and Family Services. I know the Member was also around when the most recent audit was done which actually gave some pretty negative results about the services provided by Child and Family Services. I also know the Member is aware of the recommendations made by Truth and Reconciliation to improve Child and Family Services.

Building Stronger Families builds on all those...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a number of years ago, we moved forward with a new approach to providing child and family services here in the Northwest Territories called Building Stronger Families. The premise and the intention behind Building Stronger Families is to move away from an apprehension system to a prevention system to support families. The bottom line is we want to find ways to support families so the children never have to be apprehended. In that model, it includes working with families to identify the challenges they are facing and come up with ways to address those issues...

When it comes to cannabis, our goal is to protect residents, especially children and youth, from second-hand cannabis smoke exposure. Also, in some ways more important, we want to make sure that residents have the facts on the risks of cannabis and its use on the developing brain. This is an area that I think we need to put some additional attention on to create awareness of so that young people and pregnant and nursing women understand the risks and impacts of cannabis on that developing brain.

Officials within the department have begun meeting to design a public education awareness campaign...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some initial activities to develop the mental health and addictions recovery action plan are under way. We're compiling key findings. We're looking forward to seeing the report from committee on suggestions of things that we need to do better. We're pulling together best practices from around other jurisdictions to help inform further discussion. We've also put together, or we're in the process of putting together, an interdepartmental working group of social envelope departments as well as the NWT Health and Social Services Authority in the Tlicho...

It was clear that after-care is one of the areas that is a challenge for our residents who have gone out for treatment. Whether it is an on-the-land program, whether it is a community-based program, it is the after-care that we need to make sure they are getting.

Not only did the facilities mention the programs that they are providing as far as after-care, which I am open and willing to and will be directing the department to include in our discussion around the addictions recovery plan, but there was also the suggestion that peer support needed some additional support. There is peer support...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I did attend the tour, and I did hear exactly what the Member heard, and I agree with what the Member is saying. There is no question that we want a stable environment for our individuals to go to when they are returning. I will say that some people are returning to their homes, which may provide the environment they need, but we heard loud and clear that there are some individuals who are returning to couches, and that is deeply troubling.

We are working on a new addictions recovery action plan, and I am really looking forward to hearing the report from the...