Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, more needs to be done to protect our people, especially our young people from crack cocaine and other drugs. At one time we all know that we had no drugs in many of the small communities. It was unheard of. Now we hear about it and see it everywhere and the communities have had enough.
In 2018, the NWT tobacco, alcohol and drug survey shared that 16 percent of people aged 15 and up had used crack cocaine at least once in their lifetime. Additionally, Indigenous people in the NWT had used crack cocaine at 22 percent. This is two times greater than nonIndigenous people. In Behchoko, youth are being targeted. Our young people are our future leaders. We need to do everything possible to protect their lives from drug dealers and ensure they have a good life ahead of them. The RCMP need to act and work with the Indigenous governments to understand the challenges. They need to talk with the community. We know who the drug dealers are, and we know some of them even live in public housing. Beyond enforcement, Mr. Speaker, we need to be able to direct our young people to safe healthcare and treatment. Our young people need opportunities for their lives, for their health, healing, and strong cultural identities.
Our people never traditionally used drugs. We are in crisis in many of the small communities. The accessibility of crack cocaine is far too easy. Our communities need more RCMP on the ground and as this crisis seems to grow, the drug dealers are killing the dreams and aspirations of our future generations. These kids are not safe in their own homes where family Members are also abusing drugs. This is a pandemic of another kind, and one that is just as deadly with no discriminatory purpose. It could potentially wipe out an entire generation if we don't do something about it right now.
CBC News report "family and community mourn two teens found dead in northern Manitoba. The girls took drugs before freezing to death." This was reported on March 5th, 2023. Mr. Speaker, this is happening, we cannot avoid it, and we must work to protect our communities right now. This is not a big city problem or southern problem. This is right in our backyard and it is making its way into our homes and destroying the families. I will have questions for the Minister of Justice at the appropriate time, thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
