Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I talked in my Member's statement about the four treatment centres that the Government of Northwest Territories contract with. I am going to have some questions for the Minister for Health and Social Services.
My first question: can the Minister please explain how these four treatment centres were selected for the residents of the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services made the decision to contract with these specific facilities based in large part on the recommendations of the Minister's war on addictions and community wellness which was initiated by the former Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu. In that report and based on a significant amount of public consultation, the four Members called for addictions treatment programs that are gender-specific, that are trauma-informed, that use Indigenous healing practices, are able to treat current disorders, and that offer lengths of stay and options for extensions.
In addition to those recommendations, Mr. Speaker, the department also made decisions to only use accredited facilities and to ensure that all the facilities that are able to offer a detox, including at least one option for medical detox and opiates, whether it is on site or remotely located but close. Taken together, Mr. Speaker, the four facilities currently under contract are able to provide a mix of these service options in order to meet the diverse and often specialized needs of the NWT population. They also ensure a high level of quality and focus on best practices and are commonly practised among the facilities that we are contracted with, so options, as well, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for his answer. I have to agree. Those facilities are amazing. I think that the department and the people who were consulted did a great job of selecting these facilities. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us: how does a resident select a facility that they wish to attend to address their addictions? So, in other words, with these four facilities, how do they select the ones that is best suited for them?
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the Members of the House that the facilities are not the only option. There are community options available whether it is community on-the-land options or whether it is community counsellors or whether it is programs like the Matrix programs. However, facilities are the appropriate venue on some occasions.
When an individual needs a facility-based option, the counsellors will often work with them to explain all of the options and the pros and cons of the different facilities based on the needs of that individual. They will also look at availability. Is there room in that facility today? Is there not room in that facility today? Is there something within two weeks? Is there something within one week? They work together based on the needs, what is available in the different facilities. It is based on discussion and what the individual is comfortable with and what is appropriate at any given time.
I thank the Minister for that answer. That does help, and, yes, I understand we have the option of using local, and I think that is great, but this facility option is something for the other people moving forward. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain: does the department allow residents the opportunity to attend other treatment centres, and is the government going to pay for those facilities?
Mr. Speaker, residents always have choice, so they can choose to go to facilities that we are not currently contracted with. The difference is we would not be funding or providing financial support if they were to do so. Facilities that are not in contract or have not actually gone through a thorough scrutinization by the department may not be accredited. We do not know whether or not they are safe, and it would be a liability for us to support treatment at a facility that does not meet standards that have been set, so we would not be providing financial support in those situations. Our contract clearly outlines the specific expectations on the treatment of our NWT residents, such as building safety, reporting requirements, and treatment processes. We also develop a relationship with those facilities so that we can ensure that the follow-up treatment is organized through our staff and that there is a relationship between the facility and our staff. At this point in time, Mr. Speaker, we are contracted with four. Those are the four that we will fund. Residents can choose to go elsewhere, but there will not be financial support to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that answer. Mr. Speaker, these four facility are for adults. My next question to the Minister is: with our youth population and their addictions and as they move forward, is the Minister able to advise this House which facilities that we use contract to deal with our youth addiction issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to dealing with issues for youth, whether it is addictions or mental health issues, they are very complex, so they require a specific attention. Out-of-territory facility-based treatment for youth with complex needs, which may be addictions or it may be mental health issues are a number of facilities: we have the PLEA Community Services in BC that we utilize, the Wood's Homes in Alberta, and Ranch Ehrlo in Saskatchewan.
Youth attending an out-of-territory program are supported through Child and Family Services. The Trail Cross Treatment in Fort Smith provides some intensive individualized mental health treatment and therapy for youth 12 to 18 from the Northwest Territories, and their families. Treatment within this program is typically six to nine months, Mr. Speaker, in duration. We also utilize the Territorial Treatment Centre for Children for the ages of eight to twelve, which is operated by the Unlimited Potential Community Services from Bosco Homes, and that one is here is Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
