Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It feels like ages ago now, but my questions are for the h ealth and social services Minister in follow up to my Member's statement about harm reduction.
So, first, in 2022, the GNWT released a standards manual for managed alcohol programs in the territory. Can the Minister confirm whether these standards are actually in use anywhere in the territory now? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these standards are in use by any GNWT-funded managed alcohol program and at this time, the only one that's being funded is through the Spruce Bough in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So what has the GNWT done to reach out to partners, such as Indigenous governments or non-profit shelter providers, to discuss whether or how managed alcohol programs could be newly established in other NWT communities or strengthened here in Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this time, there is no sustainable funding for the existing managed alcohol program at Spruce Bough. The priority would be to secure a sustainable funding for that program before looking at expansion. It should be noted that expansion will require new resources. One of the things that, you know, even as a Regular Member before during COVID, many of the Indigenous governments and Indigenous population, you know, I think this is -- you know, we have to understand and we have to be able to work with individual NGOs, different communities, and what their comfort level is on providing these types of programs outside to other NGOs. I know that there was concern by groups that, you know, providing alcohol to our residents when we -- you know, so the understanding and the process and the how-to work within that program, there's still work to do, but like I said it is -- there is no funding, any new resources for it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally, has the GNWT examined the feasibility of ensuring there's a day shelter space where people could more safely use drugs or prescribed drug alternatives such as methadone or gabapentin? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently, the health and social system is not planning on establishing any type of supervised consumption sites for drugs. We are focused on public health messaging, treatment options. There has been funding provided to use towards distributing and training of community members, naloxone kits. Fentanyl testing strips are also distributed. We also have an existing territorial opioid recovery provided that provides oversight for residents receiving opioid maintenance therapy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
