Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mrs. Groenewegen on October 20, 2004, regarding youth treatment programs.

1. How many NWT youth are in treatment?

For the purpose of this question, treatment is defined as residential programs sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Services that focus on addictions and behavioural problems or provide ongoing support services to youth with severe developmental delays and medical conditions.

Of the 46 NWT children and youth under the age of majority receiving such services on September 30, 2004, 12 were in facilities in the NWT and 34 were in facilities outside the NWT. Of the 34 in facilities outside the NWT, 18 have severe developmental delays and medical conditions.

2. How many spaces in total are available in the NWT for treatment of youth?

There are 16 beds available in the NWT for treatment of children and youth.

3. How many NWT youth are waiting for placement in treatment?

On September 30, 2004, one child was awaiting placement in an NWT residential program for behavioural problems.

4. What programs specifically targeted at youth, apart from residential treatment, are currently in place?

The health and social services authorities implement programs or provide contribution funding to non-government organizations to develop and provide programs specifically targeted at youth. Funding may also be made available, through support service agreements, to provide children and youth with opportunities to participate in community social or recreation programs, such as Guides, Scouts and sports teams.

In Hay River, public health nurses in the Community Health Program provide programming that specifically

targets youth from grades 7 to 12 including public health education, FASD education, smoking cessation, pregnancy, diabetes education/prevention and fun/food/fitness summer activities. Mental health and addiction workers deliver individual counselling for youth, parent-teen conflict resolution sessions, leadership skills, anti-bullying programs, Waking Opportunities Within -- the youth career orientation fair -- and team building through the youth forum, which is sponsored by the Eagle Friendship Centre and the Hay River Authority. Education sessions on the prevention of drug abuse and the effects of drug use/abuse are offered at the schools and in the community through partnership arrangements between mental health and addictions, the Department of Justice, the Addictions and Youth Centre, and the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre.

5. Would the Minister and his department support the establishment of additional treatment programming for youth in existing infrastructure in the NWT?

Children and youth services are one of the priorities of the multi-year mental health and addictions services initiative. Current challenges will include identifying resources within existing funds to implement and staff new programs.