Debates of October 20, 2004 (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Michael Miltenberger. Could the Minister outline for us how an individual that is addicted to cocaine or crack cocaine is dealt with? Which processes do they follow and what help is there for them in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 262-15(3): Availability Of Northern Drug Addiction Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the programs we have to deal with addictions and alcohol and drug abuse are geared, as the Member knows, to trying to deal with the many complex issues presented by alcohol abuse and addictions. The issue of crack cocaine addiction is one where there is no discreet program. We have been dealing with them on a case-by-case basis. There are other jurisdictions where this is a much larger problem and they have set up special specific facilities and programs to deal with these particular situations. We’ve been dealing, as in the Member’s case that he referenced in his statement, on a case-by-case basis to look for whatever services may be required. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 262-15(3): Availability Of Northern Drug Addiction Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering if the Minister and his department have a strategy to perhaps come up with a program that is tailored to the residents of the Northwest Territories that they can seek some programming help while at home and not have to journey south, away from friends and family, to seek the help that they need. I’m just wondering if the department has any plans to try to put together some type of program tailor made to our situation here in the North. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 262-15(3): Availability Of Northern Drug Addiction Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the programs we have are geared to the issue of addictions; mainly alcohol, but drugs as well. I would suggest that on the degree and actual specific issue we’re dealing with or degree of issue we’re dealing with, that the services we have here are a starting point. If it’s a situation where a person is thoroughly addicted and is into some kind of withdrawal program as opposed to dealing with the issues that may be assisting or feeding or causing her to support her addiction -- the family issues, the other issues that may be there -- then we have to look at that. But we do have resources here in Yellowknife and most other communities where we have workers. We have arrangements with the Salvation Army here, to name where there are some resources as a starting point to deal with the initial counselling and the kind of further treatment that may be required. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 262-15(3): Availability Of Northern Drug Addiction Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Minister for his response. With all the economic activity that’s happening in the Northwest Territories, the jobs, the money that flows from that, I mean, a strong economy is a good thing, but it also has some detrimental effects on society as a whole. Drug addiction is one of those detrimental effects, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering if the Minister has given any thought to the establishment of a dedicated drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment centre in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 262-15(3): Availability Of Northern Drug Addiction Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the budget we do have about $247 million. We’re in the business planning process right now. It has been publicly announced that there are fiscal targets we are looking at as a government that there are restraint targets that we’re trying to hit as a government. Health, in fact, has to shoulder their share of that burden. So, Mr. Speaker, within that context, we rolled out, two years ago, a Mental Health and Addictions Strategy in response to the Chalmers report, State of Emergency. We’ve hit year one and two. Year three is on the books yet to be implemented. We’ve charted out a course of action that focuses on the community level and that’s still the intent. We do have our dedicated facility at Nats’ Ejee K’eh, which is also undergoing a review in terms of the adequacy of the program that is there.

I’d also just like to make the observation that I’ve been reading some information on treatment and addiction services and that the research shows that the most successful and cost-effective interventions tend to be those that are geared around outreach programs, that deal with the client in their environment with the other related contributing factors that may have, in fact, lead to the addiction. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 262-15(3): Availability Of Northern Drug Addiction Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know there’s a program and treatment centre in Hay River that deals with alcohol addiction, but my main concern is for drug addiction. It’s becoming more prevalent every day in society in the Northwest Territories, especially with our young people. As I mentioned, the economy is growing stronger and people have more money; the problem is only going to grow. I’d like to ask the Minister if he will indeed have a look at setting up a dedicated treatment centre for drug addiction in the Northwest Territories. I think it’s something that we have to pay attention to and it’s important enough that our future depends on it and our kids are being affected every day, in small communities especially. It’s high time we did something about it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 262-15(3): Availability Of Northern Drug Addiction Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is a very important issue and an important discussion. The reality is that, yes, there are drug addiction problems, but the alcohol abuse and the addiction problems caused by alcohol dwarf the drug problems. We are struggling to deal with the addiction issues related to alcohol. Are we trying to deal with the drug addictions? We are, as well. Are we prepared to look at that? Yes, within the fiscal limitations that we have. We have some plans already in place and if you quantify, the actual problem is going to be the first step, and then we have to decide if it’s best to just build a facility to park people or is there a better way to deal with folks at the community level as we’re trying to do with the alcohol and mental health strategy that we rolled out. Thank you.