Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to inform Members of this Assembly that as a result of a lot of hard work on the part of many concerned citizens in lqaluit last week and this past weekend, a new group, which call themselves "Upassuraakut," which means "a place for people to go," has established itself to provide a drug and alcohol education and counselling service for lqaluit. Joe Adla Kunuk will chair the group, assisted by Alicy Joamie, vice-chairperson, and Bill McConkey, secretary-treasurer. The other seven members of the board reflect a good mix of elders and young people, all of whom have experienced first hand the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on people's lives. They are determined that the counselling service they establish will reflect this life experience of the board members.

The board intends to form a society which will apply for funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories' Department of Social Services to deliver a drug and alcohol education and counselling service for lqaluit. Mr. Kunuk has emphasized that any program endorsed by the group will have spiritual, emotional, physical and mental components. He also noted at a public meeting held on this subject last week that members of the community stressed the importance of the land in developing a recovery program.

Mr. Kunuk also stated that the so-called abstinence policy of the territorial government is not an issue with the new board, which is comprised of abstainers. Mr. Kunuk stated that the main concern of the board is to provide a drug and alcohol education and counselling service which is badly needed in lqaluit. Qujannamiik.

--- Applause