Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, since 2013-2014, 712 Northerners have been approved for residential placements in southern facilities, with 467 completions, 152 early or self-led discharges, and 102 self-cancellations. Note that these figures likely reflect multiple sessions for the same individuals.

Most recently, roughly three quarters of Northerners who started residential addictions treatment in 2016 completed a full session. When we set out on our tour, point-in-time data indicated that 38 adult Northerners were in residential treatment. This group ranged in age from 24 to 60 years and was almost evenly split between women and men.

Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women With Addictions

Calgary's Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women with Addictions provides trauma-focused women-only services, prioritizing services for pregnant women. The 64-bed facility delivers a 60-day main program, as well as two supplementary 90-day programs and open-ended aftercare, including monthly gatherings and telephone support as needed. Religious and cultural needs, including those rooted in Indigenous spirituality, are accommodated. Aventa is abstinence-based, overseen by a psychologist-led support team, and focused on trauma-informed care. Notably, the committee learned that nearly three quarters of Aventa supports residents in developing individual discharge plans, including program work to help residents build "sober days," and offers a hard-copy assistance guide, toll-free support by phone, a follow-up survey, and community-building through an alumni newsletter and monthly meetings.

The committee was impressed by the supports offered to residents from the Northwest Territories, including the ability to undertake admissions interviews and follow-up support by telephone, staff participation in our government's Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training, and subscriptions to territorial newspapers. Our discussions at Aventa also identified areas for improvement in aftercare, particularly transition processes for residents intending to return to the territory after completion.

Fresh Start Recovery

Calgary's Fresh Start Recovery provides men-only services through an abstinence-based program grounded in a 12-step model. The 50-bed facility delivers a 16-week program, with detox available on-site and psychologist, nurse practitioner, and dental services available on-site as needed. As at Aventa, religious and cultural needs, including those rooted in Indigenous spirituality, are accommodated, and programming focuses on trauma-informed care. However, while Aventa delivers a more clinical program, Fresh Start draws more on the peer-support traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. For aftercare, Fresh Start supports residents in developing discharge plans, including treatment plans and peer support, and will aid interested residents in securing transitional housing within the province. However, staff also noted challenges in this area.

The committee was particularly interested in supplementary programming provided at Fresh Start, particularly the delivery of a five-week family healing program. Fresh Start has also developed condensed and Skype-based versions of alternative delivery. The committee was also supportive of the Minister's suggestion of training territorial healthcare providers to deliver this type of programming in our communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to turn the reading over to the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta.