Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past week, we have heard from various Members who addressed concerns over the imminent closure of the northern addictions program for inhalant and substance abuse, which is currently offered in Yellowknife, with services used from across the North.
As my fellow Member from Yellowknife North stated, this facility will be forced to discontinue the program next month due to a lack of federal government funding. This situation is very unfortunate as there is such an obvious need. The eight-bed facility is operating at capacity and has a waiting list of youth needing this service.
Mr. Speaker, within the past week, we have had several calls of concern from our community over the closure and are in receipt of a large number of letters supporting the continuation of this facility. I will be tabling these letters later today in the House.
This facility has a valuable role in our social network. I believe our youth are our future and we must provide enough resources for them to grow into healthy members of our society. If we do not, we will further place a burden on our social, health and justice systems. It is vital that we provide the needed programs for our youth. If this means we have to sacrifice some levels of programs for adults, then so be it.
We must provide the services for all youth who need support from drug, alcohol, substance and solvent abuse. If we do not, the repercussions felt later will far outweigh what the costs are for providing these services now. Later today, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister for some responses.