Debates of October 28, 2004 (day 30)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was reported, on October 26th at 12:15 p.m., that communities along the Mackenzie Valley, specifically in Fort McPherson where they are dealing with underage drinking, ran around to see how they can resolve this issue. It’s also reported that communities are dealing with the hard drugs like crack addiction, and also in Yellowknife and in Hay River. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, can he inform this House of what type of strategy he is working on in terms of dealing with these issues in the small communities and the larger centres and bring that back to the House? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 335-15(3): Strategy To Deal With Drug Addiction In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have a Mental Health and Addictions Strategy that has had the first two years completed. We’ve put staff in nearly all the communities, both mental health workers as well as community wellness workers. We’re working on ensuring they are properly trained and able to deal with the alcohol and drug issues that arise.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 335-15(3): Strategy To Deal With Drug Addiction In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand the process that the Department of Health and Social Services has taken over the years in terms of getting community wellness workers in the communities. Can the Minister provide some type of report card and see how effective these workers are in terms of combating the drug and alcohol issues? It seems like it is on the increase, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 335-15(3): Strategy To Deal With Drug Addiction In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct. In the North, we continue to, for example, consume and abuse alcohol at two-and-a-half to three times the national average. There is an increasing inflow of drugs from the South like cocaine and crack cocaine and probably crystal meth. Northerners have shown a prodigious appetite for those substances. It is not something that we have been able to turn around at this point. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 335-15(3): Strategy To Deal With Drug Addiction In Small Communities

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is why I asked the Minister to look at some innovative solutions in terms of curbing the hard drugs in our communities, by talking to these other Ministers and saying that this is a comprehensive approach. Again, go back to the report that Mr. Andre, deputy mayor from Fort McPherson, is talking about, having underage children who have been dealing with underage drinking in the community of Fort McPherson. I am asking the Minister, can he look at other solutions with other colleagues in terms of coming up with a northern solution? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 335-15(3): Strategy To Deal With Drug Addiction In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will commit to the Member that we will make sure that this is an agenda item on our next meeting with the social envelope Ministers, which is going to happen within the next couple of weeks. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 335-15(3): Strategy To Deal With Drug Addiction In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when he has this social envelope meeting with the other Ministers, would the Minister commit to possibly looking at bringing some other people from the communities in terms of maybe looking at a solution in the North? I know we can deal with this issue in the Northwest Territories. That can be done. We could pull our people together; they are smart. I believe that the Minister wants to have that happen also, so would he look at possibly bringing in some people from the communities to look at this issue? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 335-15(3): Strategy To Deal With Drug Addiction In Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the meeting, we will, of course, look at all aspects of this issue and how best to proceed with the fundamental issue: how do we encourage and educate people to make the right personal choice so that they don’t start abusing alcohol or start using the drugs that have been mentioned in this House today. That involves the individuals. It involves the parents, families as well as the community, so, when we have this discussion at our next meeting, we will make sure that we look at all those aspects. Thank you.