Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to take the opportunity to bring forward an issue that is of great concern to my riding, the North Slave, and the Territories as a whole. That issue is addictions. The issue is not new yet the way we address it as a government needs to reflect that we are listening to our people and that we are prepared to deal with it.

Last week, the honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Jane Groenewegen, released The Final Report of the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services. It was accurately subtitled, "Let's Get On With It." I do not think there were any surprises in this report. It stated that substance abuse in the Northwest Territories needs to be dealt with more effectively. I would like to thank Mrs. Groenewegen for releasing this report and for her written commitment and assurance that she is willing to work with me and the Dogrib Community Services Board to support the work underway within my constituency to address the issue of addictions.

I would also like to thank the Dogrib Community Services Board for their work in developing the Dogrib Addictions Strategy. Their work began in 1998 and they have created two documents.

"Stories From Our Youth" is a collection of 200 stories by children within the Dogrib communities of Rae Lakes, Rae, Wha Ti and Snare Lakes, about how community addictions have affected their lives.

Another document they produced is "For The Sake Of Our Children," which includes a vision statement of what people hope to achieve in the Dogrib communities - a world where addictions do not rule their lives and trouble their communities. They see families that are strong and healthy, where people respect and support one another. Elders are listened to. Parents are aware of their responsibility to guide their children. Children listen to the counsel that is provided by their parents and their elders. They see people who speak their language, northern customs and traditions, are proud of their culture and heritage and who are guided by the Dogrib beliefs and spirituality. This vision can become a reality and the first step is to effectively address the issue of addictions within the Dogrib communities.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge Bobby Dryneck, a constituent who took the initiative to go door to door in Rae, collecting signatures in support of treatment for alcohol and drug addictions.

Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling this petition. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.