Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department is actually very familiar with the screening brief intervention and referral process. They are familiar with both the practice, and they have done some research. In fact, they did utilize that tool here in the Northwest Territories dating back to 2014. It was actually used as part of an approach to work with youth, and it was done in conjunction with some screening tools, including motivational interviewing. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, I have confirmed with the department that there was not a lot of uptake by practitioners. Practitioners like physicians, counsellors, nurses, who we were encouraging to use that tool, there was not a significant amount of uptake. However, we still think there is some value in it. After the Member shared me the article in the report, I did share it with the department. I asked them to look at it. The new interdepartmental problematic substance-use task force that we will be establishing under the draft action plan that we were discussing earlier today, I have directed them to share that information with them so that they can dig into that a bit more and find out how we could better utilize that tool here in the Northwest Territories for the benefit of residents.
Glen Abernethy on Question 692-18(3): Alcohol Harm Reduction Policy Changes
In the Legislative Assembly on March 13th, 2019. See this statement in context.
Question 692-18(3): Alcohol Harm Reduction Policy Changes
Oral Questions
March 13th, 2019
Page 5417
See context to find out what was said next.