Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 2001, on the instruction of Cabinet, the Department of Health and Social Services contracted Chalmers and Associates Consulting Ltd. to conduct an evaluation of community-based addictions and mobile treatment programs. The 2002 report titled "State of Emergency - A Report on the Delivery of Addictions Services in the NWT" provided 48 recommendations and it was determined that mental health and addictions services should be built from the community level up.
Since that time, we have implemented many changes and made significant investments in our services. Given our undertakings after the first report, it was determined that an interim review of the progress was necessary, to ensure that we were still on the right path.
Mr. Speaker, this follow-up report titled "Stay the Course - and Together We Can Secure the Foundation that Has Been Built" was recently completed and is available on the Health and Social Services web site, along with a summary report and supplemental reports. "Stay the Course" includes 37 recommendations to further support and build on steps taken in response to the original report.
Some of the steps taken since the 2002 report "State of Emergency" include the creation of 77 new positions at the community and regional levels, comprised of three categories: clinical supervisors, mental health and addictions counsellors and community wellness workers.
We also initiated a Community Wellness Worker Training Program with Keyano College. There have been 20 graduates from this program to date. Investments like these are key to building a strong and effective system of community-based addiction services. By investing in education and training, we are working towards building a qualified northern workforce.
Overall, the interim report card was a good one. It highlights that we are developing effective programs and strategies aimed at the prevention and reduction of addictions and the promotion of healthy living and healthy choices for residents of the NWT. By working with the
primary community care teams, we are empowering individuals, families and communities to address mental health and addiction issues. It also identifies areas for further development including the need to improve communication with all stakeholders, and to continue to build on strengths already in place at the community level, and to be flexible in transition planning.
The department is currently reviewing all 37 of the recommendations and will be preparing a response to the report, with an action plan, by the end of this fiscal year. We are committed to working with communities, NGOs and health care providers to improve our mental health and addiction services for all of our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause