Mr. Speaker, as always, I try to regularly make special mention that it is Red Friday.
Today I feel compelled to speak again to the issue of aftercare and follow-up for clients with addictions. I must confess that I am perplexed by the Minister’s answers to the questions earlier this week. A finer defence of the status quo I’ve never seen. As the Minister stated, individual responsibility is a major component of recovery in healing from addiction. I do not disagree with that statement. What I find puzzling is the Minister’s harsh resistance to what seems like a simple, inexpensive yet potentially very beneficial service — a mere phone call, Mr. Speaker.
The transition from a residential treatment program back to the community can be very difficult, full of pitfalls and temptations to return to addictions. Follow-up with a client lets the person know that there’s still someone who cares even though they are no longer in treatment. If the client knows in advance that someone will be checking up, this in itself can be a motivator to stay on course in his or her rehabilitation. An individual can be responsible, but for many of us, encouragement and support help bolster our resolve. I think this is what we usually call being human.
Mr. Speaker, one follow-up call could make the difference for a recovering addict who is struggling with feelings of isolation and social pressures. Success and effort are paramount in dealing with the biggest problems that are causing our social ills in this Territory. Poundmaker’s Lodge does this. Bellwood Health Services, a leading addictions-treatment program in Toronto, does this. Why can’t we do this? Why can’t we expand our ability and help the people the way we want to?
Mr. Speaker, aftercare is the key to successful recovery, and this government needs to ensure that a comprehensive aftercare program is made available to our residents. They need to be aware of it, and the lines of communication need to go two ways, not one way, as the Minister’s letter directs it to go.
In closing, I want to make a clear point. We’ve gone far beyond the question of this costing too much money. It has now become clear: it’s strictly a position of stubbornness.
