Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, although I may be strong on the Justice side of the concerns of dealing with the drugs and alcohol when I talk about wanting to bring forward the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, I'm also a firm believer that it's part and parcel with treatment programs. So, Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services in that regard. I'm aware of no formal policy that has a follow-up program for people who go out for treatment, Mr. Speaker, so my philosophy is it's a lot cheaper to call people and ask them how they're doing as opposed to wait until they need treatment on a relapse. So would the Minister of Health and Social Services investigate this problem and move forward in developing a policy so we have a follow-up procedure for folks who go through treatment programs?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Return To Question 43-16(1): Addictions Treatment Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m aware of at least in Yellowknife there are lots of programs being provided by NGO organizations at the Salvation Army, other counselling services. There are aftercare follow-up being done. Perhaps there’s not as much as we would like to see. I think that’s one of the big pieces that we’re working on as Caucus as a whole and 16th Assembly in terms of coming up with the plans and putting more focus on dealing with addictions and mental health issues. I look forward to having a lot more discussions about that and how we go about reaching them and how we improve the whole continuum of services available in dealing with addictions and mental health issues. So, Mr. Speaker, thank you, thank the Member for the question.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 43-16(1): Addictions Treatment Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this isn’t something I’m always going to say, but it’s not just about Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact is…

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…places like Poundmakers have a short little form. It is called the three-month follow-up and they do a yearly follow-up and several other types of follow-up. So running into somebody at bingo or at the store is not a follow-up, Mr. Speaker. I would like a formal policy developed so we have our treatment folks that we contract out to have a formal procedure to follow as what I would call a follow-up program. Would the Minister commit to looking into this and establishing a formal program? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 43-16(1): Addictions Treatment Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can assure you I was not in any way suggesting that any follow-up was being done in bingo halls. Mr. Speaker, the part of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy of the North has provided a number of positions that work with the whole continuum of care. There are about 69 community wellness workers all across the Territories and there are lots of other addictions workers, counsellors. There are lots of programs that have been put into place. Understandably, I would like to review, as a Minister, how we are doing in that regard. If there is room for improvement, I think that there is lots of interest on the part of the Members, being that we are a new Assembly, that we want to get into prevention. We want to strengthen the programs available for treatment and addictions strategy at all spectrums. So, Mr. Speaker, I am willing to work with the Member and the House to see how we could improve this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 43-16(1): Addictions Treatment Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does "I am willing to work with the Member" mean that, yes, they will do this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 43-16(1): Addictions Treatment Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With all due respect to the Member, this is a highly complex and difficult issue. It is a huge area dealing with addictions and mental health issues. It needs a very comprehensive and focused energy on the part of this Assembly. I am willing to work with the Member on aftercare, before care, prevention, treatment and everything else that has to do with addiction strategy. So, Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working in that regard. I don’t think it is a simple yes or no question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 43-16(1): Addictions Treatment Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would, first of all, thank the Minister for her commitment on that, but the fact is that it is not a difficult process because I have a two-sided paper. If they are looking for a lengthy bureaucratic approach, I will walk across the way and hand them the paper. We could do this today. We need a policy today so we can start this mechanism today. It is not a lengthy one. Would the Minister clearly say yes they will move forward on this and have something so we can discuss maybe in the next session in February? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 43-16(1): Addictions Treatment Program

Mr. Speaker, I have to tell you, I don’t really know what it is that he is talking about. I think he is talking about aftercare program. I state that, again, Mr. Speaker, that is an important part of addiction strategy and mental health issue. I am willing to work on that. If the Member wants to provide me with any information that he would like me to look at, I would be happy to look at that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.