(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. November 15 to the 21, is Addiction Awareness Week. All across the Northwest Territories community groups have organized special activities, workshops and traditional events. Nahendeh residents are participating actively in this year's Addiction Awareness Week. Dry dances have been organized for teens in Fort Simpson and Nahanni Butte. Special public health videos are being shown at the Health Centre in Fort Simpson. There are special programs for students in the schools and workshops and elders discussions have been scheduled in most communities. Even the R.C.M.P. public relations mascot, Sober Bear, is getting into the act by visiting seniors' homes and schools.

Addiction Awareness Week is a time when we can all reflect on the accomplishments that have been achieved at the community level. There is a great awareness of the problem at the grass roots level and new treatment facilities, such as the one being built on the Hay River Reserve, are increasing rehabilitation options. However, this week is also the time for thinking about community needs that have not been met.

In the Minister's statement today regarding salaries for drug and alcohol workers, they are so low that it is a national embarrassment. I am thankful for the Minister's statement today, when he stated that the salary level of the drug and alcohol workers' will increase. This is long overdue. We need to find ways of ensuring that elders become more involved in the healing process. Our elders want to help, Mr. Speaker, they have been our counsellors and healers for generations yet they are often ignored when program development decisions are made at headquarters.