Debates of May 15, 2007 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a couple of questions of the Minister of Health and Social Services and it relates to the, as I said in my statement, the crushing burden of alcohol abuse in our society. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister just what emphasis does our current Addictions Strategy place on awareness and avoidance of alcohol abuse?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 85-15(6): Awareness And Avoidance Of Alcohol Abuse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, by far, in this point in time, we spend the majority of our resources dealing with the after effects of alcoholism and abuse in our communities in the Northwest Territories. The department has recently undergone a new direction of, as stated in this House by Mr. Miltenberger, a 1 percent target at this point targeted towards the prevention side, along with the awareness campaign that the department is undertaking. So we’re starting to look at further investments in the prevention side. By far, if we can get to our children at a young age, we can make a huge difference at that point. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 85-15(6): Awareness And Avoidance Of Alcohol Abuse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, and I think all other Members are very supportive of the financial resources going into it. It’s the methodology, the programs, the approach that we’re taking that has really piqued my interest, Mr. Speaker. We know that, for instance, the National Association of Friendship Centres, of which there are several affiliates here in the NWT, is shifting its program direction toward awareness. There are many other organizations, the Salvation Army, the Centre for NWT Families, that are front-line organizations. Are we partnering with them? Are we looking to harness their resources along with ours as we take on this campaign, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 85-15(6): Awareness And Avoidance Of Alcohol Abuse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, along with all the partners that help in the delivery of a number of programs, health authorities as well as NGOs, we continue to work in partnership where we can with program direction. We seek input on where we’re going. For example, I discussed the Territorial Advisory Group that met in March and that group is looking at the core service plan and looking at the direction over the next five years. We’ve worked with the health authorities, NGOs, aboriginal groups and stakeholders to look at that new direction where we can continue to try and improve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 85-15(6): Awareness And Avoidance Of Alcohol Abuse

Mr. Speaker, have we developed, along with these partners or in any context, any kind of targets or objectives that we want to try to achieve over a given period of time that would show that we’re actually getting somewhere, that we’re actually making some results? What are the targets and the objectives, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 85-15(6): Awareness And Avoidance Of Alcohol Abuse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this area would be a very difficult one to try to measure. We could have numerous programs. I’m aware of individuals that have gone into programs maybe seven times before they finally were able to get on with their lives and leave the alcohol behind. That’s something that’s hard to measure. Some would say after a number of entries in a program it should be done, get on with it. But when at the seventh time that individual turned their life around and was a positive role model then for their family, is that too late or is that adequate? That becomes very difficult to measure. As we proceed with these programs, one of the overall ones I guess we’d look at is the overall reduction of alcohol consumption in the Northwest Territories would be one of the measures, and try to measure where we’re going. So that would be difficult. We’re working again with groups across the North. One of the other ones that’s recently been undertaken, a discussion paper on territorial alcohol and drug programs, balancing community and residential services is one of the papers we’re working on within the department and our health authorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.