Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause

In the Legislative Assembly on March 2nd, 1992. See this topic in context.

Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Social Services has been fond of pointing out that only two alcohol and drug projects have refused to sign the contribution agreement which includes the sobriety clause. He has implied that there is great support for his abstinence policy in all other alcohol and drug projects across the Northwest Territories. In fact, this policy is not widely supported in the Baffin Region, and

I suspect that it lacks support elsewhere as well. My question is for the Minister of Social Services. Can the Minister advise the House whether he bothered to canvass the opinions of alcohol and drug workers and their community-based supervisors before deciding to follow through with the implementation of this policy?

Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

The Speaker

Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are some 42 programs across the Territories that deliver alcohol and drug treatment and help people in need in that area. No, I have not consulted each and every one. I have received a number of letters from some of the centres in support of it. As I said yesterday, or Friday, some 36 of the committees have already submitted their proposals for the 1992-93 budget. So there seems to be good response to our program.

Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

The Speaker

Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Mr. Speaker, is the Minister willing to admit that some organizations may well oppose and ridicule this policy but have been forced to agree with it only under the threat of funding cutbacks?

Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

The Speaker

Mr. Whitford.

Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I know of only one alcohol and drug committee that has ridiculed it, but we have had very good support from the majority.

Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

The Speaker

Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Would the Minister of Social Services be willing to put his convictions to the test by conducting and then tabling a Territories-wide survey which asks all members of alcohol and drug committees and all the professional addiction counsellors in the NWT to indicate whether they support this abstinence policy?

Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we are flogging a dead horse here. It seems to have taken on a bit of a personality thing, this whole issue. It is me and them or them and I. Mr. Speaker, I would be willing to take direction from this House. I would like to know if it could be moved into committee of the whole and discussed right here in the House. If the House is in favour of dealing with the sobriety clause in some manner, I will take direction from that.

Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

The Speaker

Final supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 210

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Social Services did

not answer my question. Can your department conduct a study as to whether this abstinence clause is supported by both the alcohol and drug workers and the counsellors?

Supplementary To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

March 1st, 1992

Page 211

The Speaker

Mr. Whitford.

Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 211

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

No, Mr. Speaker, I will not, but I would like to see this moved into committee of the whole and we will debate it right on the floor.

Further Return To Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Question O216-12(2): Opinions Of Alcohol And Drug Workers On Sobriety Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 211

The Speaker

Oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.