Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am doing it on illicit drugs in small communities. Today I am going to talk about illicit drugs, specifically crack, crack cocaine in small communities.

There are many people dealing with addictions and crack addictions, especially crack addictions in the regions. Mr. Speaker, everyone knows someone who is using crack. Crack is a much different addiction than alcohol. The withdrawals are different. Mr. Speaker, we cannot pretend that there is no drug problems in small communities. Mr. Speaker, community needs more education about crack and how to help friends and family members who are struggling with crack addictions. Mr. Speaker, at one time we all know there was no alcohol or drugs in small communities. Now we see them everywhere.

As I have said before in this House, kids as young as 12 years old, 12 years old are experimenting with drugs. A report from 2012 showed that among Northerners aged 15 and over, one in nine people have tried crack in their lifetime. This number rises to one in seven in small communities. The physical appearance is obvious when they are abusing crack cocaine.

Mr. Speaker, the problem for people in small communities is that there is very little opportunity to escape the influence of drugs in small communities.

Mr. Speaker, we hear from parents in the communities who are doing their best but fear for their child because the child falls into the grips of drug dealers.

As we know there is little employment opportunities and many young people fall dependent on income assistance. Mr. Speaker, in communities there is only one place to cash income assistance cheques and people who sell the drugs know that, and they are waiting. So are adults, both young and old, are caught as soon as their income assistance is cashed. They have to fight to stay clean and sober.

We can see today in the Yukon, they are fighting -- Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude?

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, we can see today in the Yukon they are fighting an opiate crisis. Today in the news, the headline reads, Hay River leaders pledge for action on drug dealers profiting from death. Drug dealers are talking money away from families and it is the child, the future generation, who pay the price. We are losing people, youth and parents, to drugs, especially in small and larger communities. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you.