Masi, Mr. Speaker. Over the last few months, there have been so many deaths in the Monfwi riding. Most of them involved alcohol or other drugs. My constituents are very concerned about the well-known fact that our people are passing away one by one, all because of addictions.
Mr. Speaker, the last treatment facility in the Northwest Territories shut down in 2013. Almost immediately, the people of the Northwest Territories began requesting, again and again and again, a treatment facility to be reopened up in the territory. That has obviously fallen on deaf ears for all these years.
Mr. Speaker, let me paint a picture for you. The last Tlicho citizen who passed away tried his best to deal with his addiction issues. Yes, he did. He worked very hard on himself, signed up for and got accepted in the Fresh Start program in Calgary. Upon his return home, there was no follow-up or after-care program. He was homeless, ended up back on the streets in Yellowknife, and back, of course, to the bottle. His sister did a radio interview following her brother's unfortunate passing. She mentioned her own journey, going back to 1995. She completed her own treatment program in the South, returned home to Behchoko, and immediately had to move to Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, because there were no after-care programs or support services in Behchoko.
As you can see, addiction is affecting entire families and communities. Sadly, this is a familiar story to far too many. Our people deserve better, and most certainly deserve better from ourselves as the 19th Assembly Members. When will enough be enough, Mr. Speaker? I will have questions at the appropriate time for the appropriate Minister. Masi.
