Debates of May 15, 2007 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask my questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I spoke a couple times talking about investing in people. Investing in people could also mean investing into a proper treatment centre with some good aftercare programs. I’d like to ask the Minister if he’s aware of any long-term plans to establish treatment centres in some of the regions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 83-15(6): Regional Alcohol And Drug Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department itself is not aware of formal proposals out there. I am aware that there is some work going on in the Beaufort-Delta region around the issue of trying to set up a wellness facility through the Gwich’in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 83-15(6): Regional Alcohol And Drug Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we listen to the people of the Northwest Territories and they tell us that they feel that there is a need for treatment centres in the region. Yet we get a $97,000 report called Stay the Course recommending no need for treatment centres. I’d like to ask this government and the Minister, who are we listening to? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 83-15(6): Regional Alcohol And Drug Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re listening to a number of people. It’s always good to seek input from a broad spectrum of people, whether it’s NGOs, Health and Social Services authorities, as well as hiring specialists from time to time. The Member is right; in 2002 a contract was issued and the report received on the State of Emergency that was identified around this area and, further to that, further review was done and used the same business as the Member stated correctly; Stay the Course was the other report. We’ve been working with that and with NGOs throughout the territory to come up with a process of care of what we can do as a government to try to ensure we’re helping those that need the help and ask for it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 83-15(6): Regional Alcohol And Drug Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again I’d like to say we have to listen to the people that live it front line and deal with it, and those are the people we should be listening to. The Gwich’in and the Nihtat Gwich’in have been putting together a camp to identify and deal with the problem. I’d like to ask the Minister, what would they have to do to secure some program dollars from the government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 83-15(6): Regional Alcohol And Drug Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated, the department has worked with NGOs, we’ve worked with aboriginal organizations and come up with a plan of trying to invest in communities and people that would help with the programming. There’s nothing stopping other groups or groups out there who want to become more involved. We think it’s a good thing that groups get involved directly with their people about how we can try and help provide a level of service that is, overall, a stronger one. So proposals can be worked with or brought into the health and social services authorities at the initial stage. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 83-15(6): Regional Alcohol And Drug Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all know that prevention is the best tool for dealing with alcohol abuse, but there’s always going to be alcohol abuse no matter what and a lot of these people continue to try to go for treatment. A lot of them have to leave home. They come back and I’d like to ask the Minister if he knows, or is aware, of a mechanism in place when they return to their home communities to monitor them after a 28-day treatment session? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 83-15(6): Regional Alcohol And Drug Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there’s a number of activities, and again, with trying to work with community groups and how we can deal with that, I’d have to get the specifics of a well or Aftercare Program as has been looked at. The government has done aftercare programs. Usually that goes back out to another facility or working with a group. We’re trying to deal with the on-the-land process, as well. So we’re looking at a number of options or continuing to try to improve the way we work and deal with the alcohol addiction and Aftercare Program. Thank you.