In closing, I will be bringing back information to Inuvik on the Crack Busters program, to see if it can be adapted to our needs in the Delta. Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, the drug dealers will only be about 20 minutes behind the pipeline workers.

The people who have taken the program are to be commended for recognizing their problem and taking action. I wish them good luck in conquering their addiction.

What I find interesting, Mr. Speaker, is that this program is up and running with no support from the government or its agencies. It shows that a community can find its own solution to a problem.

I strongly encourage the government and the health and social services authorities to look at the Crack Busters program. It may not fit their present policies, but it certainly fits into the government's vision of people taking responsibility for their own lives.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the Social Programs committee meeting and take in a presentation of the Crack Busters program that is offered in the city of Yellowknife. It was a very informative meeting and I would like to thank the committee for hosting the meeting and the Salvation Army and the Tree of Peace addictions counsellors, as well as the men enrolled in the Crack Busters program, for taking the time to talk to us about the program and the insidious nature of crack cocaine.

Mr. Speaker, at this meeting, I learned that crack cocaine is not like the other drugs that we have had to deal with in the Northwest Territories up to this point. Unlike other drugs that have a physical addiction, crack cocaine is a psychological addiction. It works on your mind. It's all you think about and you just want to find that first high you got the first time you tried it. You can try it once and get hooked. Guess what, Mr. Speaker? The drug dealers love that. They love it so much, they would give out free samples because they know you will be back to buy more. They know you will sell everything you own, you will destroy your marriage, and you will steal from your friend's family or your workplace to buy some.

Back in November, I attended a meeting with 200 people who came out to talk on the drug problem in Inuvik. When the talk turned to drug dealers, all I can say, Mr. Speaker, is that with the mood of the crowd it's a good thing that no one brought a rope. The Crack Busters program has been running in Yellowknife since last September. It appears to be a success. The Tree of Peace and the Salvation Army are to be commended for their support and championing of this program.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was speaking more specifically to the oil and gas division of the minerals, oil and gas office. The minerals office you can keep here, but the minerals, oil and gas office I would like to see moved to the Beaufort-Delta. Now is the Minister going to look at that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he would commit to his visiting the possibility of moving the office to Inuvik where it rightfully belongs. Thanks a lot.

I'll thank the Minister for that and if he thinks that the Beaufort-Delta is the anchor field for now, then why is there not an oil and gas division office located there? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of RWED. I'd like to ask the Minister if he agrees that the Beaufort-Delta is the anchor field for the oil and gas industry. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, I attended a reception for coaches from across the NWT who were in town for a coaching symposium. These are highly dedicated volunteers who don't get paid and only do what they do so athletes can have the programs and proper coaching. So many times, Mr. Speaker, the people who choose to coach get flack from many different angles and many different issues. These folks do a thankless job and are volunteers. Without them, many support programs would have a hard time getting off the ground.

Many coaches feel that if they can influence the decision of one young person to make good choices and live a healthy and productive lifestyle, then everything they do is worth it.

I would like to use this opportunity in this forum to thank and acknowledge the people who sacrifice their time and try to make a difference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Being a beneficiary of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, I would like to congratulate the people of the Tlicho. I have gone through the excitement of having an agreement signed. I saw the Gwich'in one signed. My family are beneficiaries of the Gwich'in Final Agreement. So there is a bit of uncertainty, but as the other groups have shown, once the Tlicho have their agreement in place, they will do themselves proud. Thank you.