Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Residents are often sent south to get help far away from friends and family to support and encourage them. Money seems to be the biggest hurdle to overcome in making this happen. I would like to comment that during last fall's election campaign, many residents felt that a dedicated treatment centre was necessary and much needed. As a government, we need to prioritize the needs of our residents, with health and welfare being at the top of that list.

Why do we continue to operate a young offenders' facility in Inuvik with no clients, or a hospital in Fort Smith with hardly any patients? Mr. Speaker, we need to take stalk of what our priorities are. I do believe this facility should be located in Yellowknife, as this is where half of our population resides. However, if it can be located elsewhere, so be it. The bottom line is we have to get serious with how we are dealing with addictions. Residents are putting their faith in us to make this happen. This is not an area that we can afford to fall on, but an issue that we must meet head on. Thank you.

---Applause