Alcohol And Drug Awareness Week

In the Legislative Assembly on November 14th, 1994. See this topic in context.

Alcohol And Drug Awareness Week
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 10

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. (Translation) I will be saying this in my own language. This week is Alcohol and Drug Awareness Week. People all over the NWT will be doing things to bring attention to the problems or the cause of alcohol and drug abuse. There are many problems that go along with this addiction. Many people have become aware of alcohol and drug addiction in so many different ways. Many people know they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, but are unable to stop. There are people who have stopped using alcohol and drugs.

Some people are trained now in the north to help people with addictions. Centres have now been built by the government to house programs on alcohol and drug addictions. I know a lot of people have gone for treatment. Still, there is a need...(Translation ends)

...died from alcohol abuse by drinking gas line anti-freeze. Just recently, three more people died in the community of Sachs Harbour from drinking ethyl alcohol. These are people who should be aware of the dangers of the abuse of alcohol. Yet, in this day and age, we still have it. So, this awareness week is a good week to bring these types of problems to the attention of our people.

Last summer, the Deh Cho First Nations declared the year to be dedicated to community healing. The leaders of Deh Cho realized and recognized that healing is necessary to have strong communities. We need strong communities to deal collectively with the challenges we have before us in the north.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Alcohol And Drug Awareness Week
Item 4: Members' Statements

November 13th, 1994

Page 10

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Antoine.

Alcohol And Drug Awareness Week
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 10

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. The division of the Northwest Territories into Nunavut and the western Arctic requires all of us in the communities to be strong people. The development of a constitution in the west -- which I still call Denendeh -- requires that each community develop holistically so as to be in control of their own lives.

The Deputy Commissioner today stated very eloquently in her throne speech, "to help restore human values, dignity and a sense of community wellness." This is exactly what leaders in the Deh Cho had in mind when they spent the whole week talking about healing in the communities. We are all aware that the problems of alcohol and drugs cause a lot of problems in our communities. We all realize we have to work together to try to deal with this problem.

(Translation) Today, what I want to say is that there is going to be one week set aside to really think about the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. It is good to talk about it and get involved in the recognition of this week. Thank you.

---Applause

Alcohol And Drug Awareness Week
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 11

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. Honourable Member for Tu Nedhe.

Alcohol And Drug Awareness Week
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 11

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Madam Speaker, I request unanimous consent to return to Ministers' statements.

Alcohol And Drug Awareness Week
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 11

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to Ministers' statements. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Morin.