Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today we are talking about all the drug addictions that are happening. It is happening all over the place. Mr. Speaker, today the residents of the Northwest Territories are suffering from the impacts of severe addictions and mental health issues. As this Assembly knows, I represent four small communities: Ndilo, Lutselk'e, Fort Resolution, and Detah. Each one of these communities has recently seen the deaths of young people due to drugs and alcohol, not to mention similar deaths in Yellowknife and the regional centres. These deaths are totally unnecessary and one hundred per cent preventable. Preventable, Mr. Speaker, is the key word.
As a people and as a government, we must all do our share to step up the pace at which our mental health and addictions programs are being delivered. I cannot over-stress the urgency of these matters. Within the GNWT, the Department of Health and Social Services must show this Assembly an increased emphasis on prevention and an increased investment in addressing mental health and addictions. I know this is a big job and that results do not show up right away, but Mr. Speaker, that's all the more reason to get started as soon as possible. We must also look to our communities and our Aboriginal partners for their collaboration and support in addressing this huge issue.
In my riding, the unnecessary and untimely deaths of these young people have devastated their families. These families never recover. Mr. Speaker, I know what I am talking about. In 1977, my brother Fred died as a result of alcohol. He was a 22-year-old mechanic at the Pine Point mine. My dad never got over it, until his own death in 1993.
Earlier this year, after burying one of our young people, I sat down with a friend in Fort Resolution. We noticed that every family that was there supporting this grieving family had been touched by a similar tragedy. It gets easier to bear as time goes on, but it never goes away: you never forget the loved ones that are taken from you far too soon because of alcohol and drugs. We cannot let this go on. Marci cho, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
