Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From what I have seen, there are no plans for healing centres or plans for addictions prevention, especially in the North Slave. With all of the economic activities going on, we need a proper addictions or healing centre in the North Slave, Mr. Speaker. We need this to deal with the ongoing addictions and all of the problems that go with economic development.
Mr. Speaker, in the news, we have heard about addictions in the Beaufort-Delta communities and how a lack of counselling services makes it difficult for people with addictions to keep their jobs. Addictions affect our northern economy and it has devastating social consequences, as well as other effects.
The lack of treatment and prevention facilities effects everyone in the North, whether it is someone on the verge of asking for help to relatives who try to cope with a dependent loved one, or their children who suffer and may have a high risk of becoming addicted themselves in their life.
We see the effects of alcohol and drug addiction in everyday life and it is a disturbing sight. These people need support and they need help with healing and prevention in their own languages. If they do not receive help in their own languages, then they are just going to a dry-out centre and no healing is taking place, Mr. Speaker.
In my communities, we have the Dogrib Communities Services Board with addictions counsellors. They need a physical space or facility to call their own. On February 22, 2000, nearly two years ago, I addressed this. At that time, I tabled a petition supporting treatment for alcohol and drug addictions.
Mr. Speaker, as you can see, this has been an ongoing concern of mine and of my constituents as well.
We want to see strong and healthy families in our northern communities, Mr. Speaker. If we want to see our people proud of their aboriginal beliefs and spirituality, then we need to address alcohol, drugs and other addictions.
We can do that by having a proper, designated addictions building in the North Slave, not just a slap-dash sprinkling of counsellors parachuted in and operating out of other facilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause