Sandy Lee

Mr. Speaker, I realize Mr. Braden has already been recognized, but may I just take this opportunity to tell him that we do miss him around here. I know we have new Members here. And also to wish him well in his career as a photographer.

I am glad to hear that the Member acknowledges that treatment programs are a two-way process. That is precisely my point, Mr. Speaker. That’s what my letter says.

I say it again: there are lots of programs and services available to those who want to take advantage of them. The success of dealing with addiction depends on the individual’s motivation and their facility to deal with that. The 1-800 number the Member was referring to has to do specifically with messages to Nats’ eeje K’eh, where those clients who had been there could use that number if they wanted to.

But it is expected that all of...

There is absolutely no program — I mean, there is absolutely no problem. There is no problem. I’m happy to give answers to the Members, and I think that should be considered. The answer that I’m saying is that it’s a partnership effort, it’s a group effort. And our staff is ready and available and provides support as clients need them, the bottom line always being that it is always client focused.

I believe this item speaks to the provision of psychiatric treatment for those who are in the criminal or justice system and who are in need of having that treatment or that assessment. The information that the Minister Responsible for the FMB read out states that that is the case.

If the Member wants to know about the health question, we do offer those services. We may not be able to offer all those services in the North, and if that’s the case, they will be referred south.

Mr. Speaker, the issue of addictions and pre- and post-care treatment and the need for the Assembly to work really hard to address this issue in the whole spectrum is really serious. I would like to ask the Member to take that issue very seriously. This is not a game.

I am telling the Members that I sent in a two-page letter that explains the pre- and post-care program dealing with the addictions issue. It states very clearly what it says.

I am telling the Member again that clients are involved in all aspects of dealing with the addiction issue. They will have to take a driver’s seat. Our staff...

Mr. Speaker, the Member may be able to understand the meaning of that if he just reads the previous paragraph, which reads:

“Part of the treatment process is discharge planning where the client is actively involved in and takes responsibility for decisions and planning focused on maintaining sobriety post-treatment. This involves identifying community supports and making pre-discharge contacts to prepare for return to the community. Counselling services, AA groups, supportive family and friends, etc., are identified and contacted, if that is the wish of the client.”

The point is, Mr. Speaker...

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the Member’s request for information. I think it will be a good idea for the department to go the Standing Committee on Social Programs and make presentations on a number of areas having to do with software programs and electronic information programs that the department is delivering. This one item on here is part of the Infoway project, which is a national project, as the Minister mentioned. TeleHealth is a support program. Then we have the electronic medical records system, which is a different program as well.

In the interest of briefing Members, as some of the...

I’m happy to repeat again that those who want to have an addiction-free life have to make that choice, and they have to access programs. All the help is available to them. It is not beyond good practice and policy to ask people to be engaged in their own healing process.

All the help is there. The numbers are there. Our workers are in communities. Wellness workers are there. It’s a good policy. The programs are there for the people to access.

Mr. Speaker, the letter the Member is referring to is not before the House. I have a problem with the Member misquoting and misinterpreting that letter. I stand by that letter. That letter has some information that says our workers work in full partnership with anybody who wants help with their addiction issues, whether that be by working with the wellness and addictions workers or by wanting to get treatment. The department and my staff are involved with the process throughout.

I’m just saying that those who go through programs like Poundmaker or any institutional setting, they have a separate...

Mr. Speaker, I should advise the Member and the House that this matter is within the jurisdiction of the DPW and WCB at the moment. They are doing studies of the level of asbestos in the building that’s suspected. Once these results are out, we’ll be moving to the next stage. The Department of Health and Social Services will become involved at that time.