Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past several months the NWT has many young people to drugrelated deaths. They were sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, and friends. Why do we continue to let this happen?
Mr. Speaker, whether we call these drugrelated deaths an overdose or murder, the fact remains that these young people have been taken from their loved ones. Their families will have to live with the devastating fact that they have lost someone special to a disease that is remorseless and unrelenting, not only for individuals but for families and the community as well.
'We know it is a difficult and sensitive issue and that is part of the challenge. We can no longer keep quiet. We can no longer tiptoe around the issue. It is time for this government to realize that we must change the way we engage drug dealers, the way we support those with addictions, and the way we support families impacted by addictions. Change must begin somewhere. It must start now, and it has start with us.
Mr. Speaker, it is our responsibility to talk to all those that come through our offices. Throughout my adult life in Hay River, more so now as an MLA, I had, and continue to have, people that I personally know with addictions coming to me seeking help known drug dealers seeking help, family members seeking help for loved ones, and hearing their pleas are difficult but necessary if we want to address the issue and to effect change. We need to hear their stories, and we must not judge as they come to seek our support.
Mr. Speaker, from the standpoint of both justice and health, this government must ensure it has the financial and human resources in place to combat the disease of addiction. We must work in partnership with Indigenous governments, community governments, nonprofit service providers, residents and, most importantly, we must engage those living with addictions.
Mr. Speaker, the approach and path we are on is failing our youth and residents. In a previous statement I said one more death in our community is one too many. Since that time, there have been many. Mr. Speaker, my heartfelt condolences go out to all families who have lost loved ones to addictions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
