Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As my contribution to our theme day on addictions, I would like to talk about the need for treatment centres in Inuvik and Yellowknife. A recently released second Chalmers report is pretty emphatic in stating, and I quote, "It is ill advised to construct or consider a plan for additional treatment centres at this time, given the history of closing three centres in the 1990s, a small population of the NWT and a difficulty in securing clinical and addictions expertise."
The same report, Mr. Speaker, went on to say that because they had only six weeks to consult and write the report, they were unable to evaluate all programs and could not, in some cases, provide definitive recommendations. I urge the Minister to give more merit to the second statement rather than the first and concentrate on what the real issue should be, which is the need to prepare for the social impacts associated with development of the Mackenzie gas project.
Mr. Speaker, during our pre-budget consultations, we heard from NGOs and local residents on the need for regional residential treatment centres. With the potential of the pipeline project beginning construction in 2008-09 and the need for more exploration in the Beaufort-Delta, many communities along the proposed route expect negative social impacts.
No matter what the oil and gas companies do, there will be employees that abuse drugs and alcohol. Just in the last four years, Mr. Speaker, the increased size from the drilling activity in the Beaufort-Delta and the extra employment income in the region has also meant an increase in the abuse of alcohol and drugs. I know this is true because I live there and I see it on a regular basis.
Many more types of illegal drugs are readily available in the Delta than just four short years ago.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents aren't stupid. They look around and see the problems that their family members, friends and neighbours are having with substance abuse right now and really start to worry. They think about the impacts and conflict of the pipeline. Residents want to have necessary treatments and programs in place before the construction of the pipeline. They want regional treatment centres, Mr. Speaker. I am asking consent to complete my statement. Thank you.