Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement today about an issue on the radio that seemed to get a lot of coverage. It is the call from the RCMP in Yellowknife regarding the number of nuisance calls they receive regarding alcohol and drunkenness in the communities.
I think as a government and as a people, the Northwest Territories has to recognize this is a problem. I think the problem we have is a lot of people assume that strictly by phoning the RCMP or letting the RCMP take care of the problem, the problem will go away. They will come along, pick the person up, take them to the jail, put them in the jail, let them out the next day, problem solved. Mr. Speaker, my view is that does not work.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we here, as a government, have to take on that responsibility. We are here to ensure the well-being of the Northwest Territories residents and the reflection of our residents regarding the people who live in our society who are at need because of the effects of alcohol and drugs and other effects on our society.
I for one, Mr. Speaker, feel that as a government, we have not taken hold of the pace of development happening around us. The cuts that took place during the 13th Assembly, the closures of alcohol and drug treatment centres, and also with the Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program, it has not seen any movement.
In the Northwest Territories, we have one alcohol and drug treatment facility with 30 beds. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that not only we as the government, but people in our society from the community governments to the organizations that are there to assist people, have the resources, and that we give people who have problems in our society with alcohol and drugs and other forms of problems the tools to give them an alternative. What is the alternative with drinking and doing drugs? What will make these people better people in our society to give them the tools to make that change?
I feel that we as a government are letting these people down, and also letting down the people who are there to protect us in our community, especially the RCMP, by expecting them to take care of a problem that is really all our problem. I think we as a government, Members of this Legislature, we have to take issue with this problem and make it a priority of this government, if we expect to take advantage of developments in oil and gas and mining. We have to set the example. As a government, we should do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause