In the Legislative Assembly on October 20th, 2022. See this topic in context.

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

October 20th, 2022

Page 4741

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this is part of my question, okay. We all know Indigenous people in the Northwest Territories are struggling with alcohol and substance abuse, grief, loss, violence, and intergenerational trauma from colonization, residential school and systemic racism. Many want to go to treatment but are turning to alcohol and drugs to cope because the NWT does not have a territorial-based treatment facility. The overwhelming majority of the NWT residents want, a territorial-based treatment facility. Why doesn't the territory have a treatment facility located in the territory? Thank you

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4741

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you Member for Monfwi. Minister for Health and Social Service.

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4741

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

The simple reason that we don't have a treatment centre is because they don't work. We have tried four times. The effort to provide one treatment centre for all the regions, languages, and cultures hasn't been successful; people don't attend. And what we found is by giving people options, they attend in greater numbers than they ever have when we had a facility in the NWT. Thank you.

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4741

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Okay, thank you for that. Why doesn't the Minister listen to the will of the people and develop a plan to open a traditional Indigenous healing territorial addiction treatment program? Can the Minister provide data on the number of injuries or death related to drugs and alcohol since 2013, since the treatment centre was closed in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4742

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Yeah, thank you. I am not exactly sure what the Member is asking for. If she's asking for how many people have been to treatment in that time, I can provide that information.

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4742

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Why doesn't the Minister listen to the will of the people, is what I said. This is what the people want. And at the same time, can she provide the data on the number of injuries and death related to drugs and alcohol since 2013. So this is all related to the territorial treatment facility in the Northwest Territories. So that's what I was asking for, thank you and that is not my second question, so I am just replying to her. I still have two more questions, thank you.

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4742

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I don't have the detail at hand that the Member is looking for so I will have to return to her. Thank you

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4742

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you final supplementary. Member for Monfwi.

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

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Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Will the Minister of Health commit to reopening an addiction-based facility and treatment and wellness centre in the Northwest Territories?

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4742

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you Member for Monfwi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4742

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. No.

Question 1210-19(2): Treatment Programs
Oral Questions

Page 4742

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.