Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my statement, I touched on the cuts that took place in the 13th Assembly, where we cut a lot of alcohol and drug treatment centres. They are basically shut down; Delta House, Tl'oondih and other programs that were being provided at the time.

What is the Minister's plan to ensure that we have more accessible beds to clients in the area of alcohol and drug treatment in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on beds per thousand, we have an adequate number of beds at Nats'ejee K'eh. Are there concerns about the current service delivery, a program model? In some cases, I believe there are. We are committed to working with the regions and communities to look at the kind of alcohol and drug services that are currently being provided.

I have acknowledged and committed to the Member to going up into his constituency to look at some of the requests and issues up there as they relate to the socio-economic impact as a result of major resource development.

Mr. Speaker, we are prepared to move on this. We recognize there are going to be some extra efforts required, especially in those areas where there is major resource development. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, what are we doing to work in conjunction with any other organizations or people who see this area as a problem, in which they seem to be carrying the brunt of the burden in terms of public outcries, especially organizations such as the RCMP or the policing responsibilities?

I think that as a government, we have a responsibility to provide programs and services in relation to alcohol and drugs. I would like to ask the Minister, how are you working in conjunction with these other institutions or organizations to head off the problem with alcohol and drugs in our society?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in addition to the list I have provided in this House to the previous two questions, I would like to point out that we have struck a working group committee. The terms of reference have been shared with the Member and the members of the Social Programs Committee last week. The working group committee is going to try to come to grips with the socio-economic impact where there is major resource development. That will be expanded to include not just oil and gas but all resource development. We are going to expand it to include the aboriginal governments as well as our federal colleagues and industry.

Mr. Speaker, we are making significant efforts in what is a very significant issue and one that has a tremendous negative effect on our society. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister touched on the idea that he has a few endeavours on the go. I would like to thank the Minister for that, but I think we as a government have to have a long-term plan here as to where we are really going in relation to the problems at hand and developing a strategy, scenario or business plan, to see where we are going to be in five or ten years time to deal with this problem and ensure we have the resources there to carry it out.

I would like to ask the Minister exactly where are you by way of ensuring that we have a long-term goal and a business plan to ensure that we are able to accomplish the goal we are trying to set here? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I Indicated in my Minister's statement today, we are just a few months away from concluding this Alcohol and Drug, Mental Health and Family Violence Strategy and it will be ready, after it goes through the proper processes with Cabinet and committees, to be included in the business planning process for the upcoming year 2003-2006. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Minister's statement, I was giving this Legislature a clear picture that we are bringing three ongoing strategies and framework to, hopefully, a successful conclusion in the next few months. With regard to the question that my colleague asked, the Disability Steering Committee membership is comprised of members of the Department of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, the Housing Corporation, Municipal and Community Affairs, the NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities, the YWCA of Yellowknife, Yellowknife Association for Community Living, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Dene Nation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the intent of this particular committee is to review services for people with disabilities across the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the NWT Council for People with Disabilities takes a very comprehensive approach in terms of dealing with its membership and their needs and issues. They have brought that approach to the table. We have a very good cross-section, as I have indicated, in this House.

Yes, I believe that all those concerns are going to be looked at in one way or another. Thank you.