Mr. Speaker, it is a sad truth that far too many of our northern youth abuse alcohol, drugs, and solvents. A recent survey found that over a third of northern youth aged 15 to 24 were heavy drinkers, over a third had used marijuana or hashish, and an alarming 13 percent had sniffed solvents. Our future is in our young people, Mr. Speaker. Successful early intervention in the lives of young drug and alcohol abusers will mean fewer addicted adults in the future.
The Department of Health and Social Services is working very hard to find better ways to meet the health and social needs of northerners. Supporting this valuable program is an important part of our effort to keep our young people healthy and work towards eliminating the root causes of health and social problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause