Date
May
15
2007
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Debates of May 15, 2007 (day 7)
Topics
Statements
Member’s Statement On Alcohol Treatment Aftercare Programs
Jackson Lafferty
Monfwi
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) We live in the Northwest Territories in isolated communities, but we have problems with alcohol problems in our communities. Everyone is affected in the whole family when someone is drinking in the family and we know this problem exists all over the place. Although they go for treatment for one month, whether in Hay River or further south, the problem is the aftercare programs. They have nothing in place for these people. How can we help these people once they return to their communities? Do they have counsellors in the communities to help them? Do we have all the necessary things in place for them? A lot of them are serious about resolving their problem, helping themselves to keep away from alcohol. We need to guide these people through once they return from the treatment centre, but we don’t have any aftercare programs in our communities. This is one of the questions I will ask the Minister later on. (Translation ends)
We all know that alcohol is an issue in the Northwest Territories. I would even venture to say that it affects every individual in the Territories. Without…(inaudible)…statistics, it affects addicts, their family members and friends directly and the rest of the community in terms of health care, policing and so on. It is an issue that concerns all of us, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, those suffering from addictions have two choices for treatment whether it be Hay River or a program down south. Much of their success, however, depends not so much on the actual 30-day program or 28 days, as on their behaviour upon returning to their communities. That’s where we need to look after them. This is where we fail them, Mr. Speaker. The NWT has yet to provide adequate aftercare for those suffering from addiction so they can be supported on the road to recovery. Mr. Speaker, without aftercare support, we might as well pour their next drink for them. We are dooming them to failure. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Health and Social services at the appropriate time. Mahsi.
---Applause