Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Michael Miltenberger. Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister is saying that his department will not build treatment centres, but we see in the South Slave the only addiction centre in the entire territory is having internal problems. If nothing is resolved, then there would be no treatment facilities in the North, our people would have to go south for treatment, away from families which creates problems in itself. I would like to ask the Minister, what is his plan to provide treatment services if the dispute with the staff in Hay River creates a shut-down? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
In the Legislative Assembly on October 3rd, 2003. See this topic in context.
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1191
Leon Lafferty North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1191
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Return To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1191
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
There is currently a process underway on the reserves that will eventually lead to an agreement that is mutually agreed to. In the meantime, we are taking steps to ensure if there is a requirement for residential treatment, it can be met in Yellowknife at the Salvation Army and we will use the access we have to southern facilities as a short-term interim basis. Thank you.
Return To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1191
Supplementary To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1191
Leon Lafferty North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In answer to my colleague, Mr. Braden, yesterday, the Minister said what we've attempted to do over the last few years is focus attention at the community level with the increase in social workers and the money. As we know, in light of the information we have, by creating...(inaudible)...we have increased child apprehensions and breaking families apart because these social workers are not addiction counsellors. I would like to ask the Minister, is he going to do anything, like bricks and mortar, for services in the North Slave? We already have one in the South Slave. Can he do something for the North Slave?
Supplementary To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1191
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1192
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, in the House yesterday, the issue was making use of the facilities we have across government that may be underutilized. The issue was again raised in the House, for example, with Somba K'e where we have, to our knowledge, some justice facilities that may be underutilized. We know we hold the mortgage on facilities like Somba K'e. There is a facility for seniors that wasn't designed for seniors in Deline. There are issues with some of the facilities in Smith, Hay River and Inuvik. So we have existing facilities that we already invested significant amounts of capital in that we have to take a look at as a first step. Are we going to go into any wholesale capital investment in alcohol and drug facilities? No, we are not at this point.
The issue of Natse' Ejee K'eh will be resolved and the staff will be delivering a program that is designed. So, Mr. Speaker, the issue of the specific request of when will bricks and mortar be put on the ground in the North Slave in terms of alcohol and drug treatment facility, there are no immediate plans for a facility in the North Slave. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
October 2nd, 2003
Page 1192
Supplementary To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1192
Leon Lafferty North Slave
Thank you Mr. Speaker. We know addictions are one of the main problems and in his answers he gave yesterday it seems that he knows the problems. He says we do not have any pat answers. We are pouring an enormous amount of resources into treatment of the health issues related to this. So he is already telling us all the health issues are related to addictions, but he is not willing to put any facilities in the North. What is the Minister's job? Is it to create more health problems and not deal with it and just keep answering the same questions saying no bricks and mortar? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1192
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1192
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government has made a significant investment and will continue to make a significant investment in health and social services. In 1997 and 1998, the money allocated directly to health authorities was $113 million. This year it is $183 million. That is just the money that goes right off the top to the health authorities.
Mr. Speaker, there is a strong concern and commitment to dealing with addictions issues. In the North Slave the Dogrib budget went from $4.5 million up to $9.4 million this year, from 1997 and 1998. Do we have the answers to all the problems? No, we don't. Is everything a result of additions? No, it isn't, but it is a significant variable that affects and drives our costs.
We have talked about the issue of capital. This House well knows the limited capital dollars we have. It knows what money we have and what projects are on the books at present. We are governed by that plan and process. We are going to continue to make every effort to focus on the prevention side of dealing with issues like alcohol and drug addictions so that, in fact at the end of the day, down the road children will be born healthy and will have the best opportunity to lead a healthy productive life. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1192
Supplementary To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1192
Leon Lafferty North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for putting more money into the Dogrib region and throughout the North. If we are not going to deal with the issues and we're just simply pouring money into there for the sake of pouring it, then we're not dealing with any of the health issues that are related to addictions. I would like to ask the Minister, if he can put as much effort into this addictions strategy as he did in the Midwifery Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1192
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Further Return To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1192
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to phrase that in the past tense. We have been placing a significant amount of effort in the alcohol and mental health strategy, as we did with the midwifery legislation. Both are important pieces of the work we are doing. The alcohol and drug issue is one that has significant importance that has involved this House, it has involved the communities and will continue to involve all of us as we seek to do a better job on that very, very difficult issue. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Question 373-14(6): Alcohol And Drug Treatment Services In The North Slave
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1192
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.