Thank you, Mr. Speaker. WHEREAS investing in prevention, education and awareness, and enhancing addictions treatment programs are priorities of the 17th Legislative

Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Department of Health and Social Services has recently released its Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan 2012-2015, which identifies service gaps including needs for a medical detoxification program, more on-the-land programs, more community follow-up and aftercare following residential treatment, supported independent living programs for individuals with chronic mental illness, stronger integrated service management, more programs targeted towards children and youth, programs to address specialized addiction treatment such as for crack cocaine and prescription drug abuse, programs

addressing mental health and addictions issues among the elderly, and more individualized mental health and addictions programs;

AND WHEREAS Northwest Territories rates of substance abuse remain among the highest in Canada and substance abuse is a factor in more than 90 percent of complaints to police in the NWT;

AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories coroner recently reported a total of 84 suicide deaths between 2001 and 2010, accounting for 10 percent of all deaths during that 10-year period and a trend of between seven and 10 deaths by suicide each year;

AND WHEREAS countless individuals and organizations across the Northwest Territories have for decades been calling for additional investments in mental health and addictions treatment programs, most recently during the pre-budget consultations conducted by the Minister of Finance;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that this Legislative Assembly strongly urges the Government of the Northwest Territories to include sufficient new funding, of at minimum $2 million, in the Health and Social Services 2013-14 Main Estimates for the department to substantially enhance addictions and mental health services;

AND FURTHER, that these funds be added to the department’s base for future years and be directed at program delivery to address service gaps identified in the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan, 2012-2015, rather than further evaluation and studies, with the ultimate objective of creating a seamless, integrated system of addictions and mental health programs delivered within the Northwest Territories;

AND FURTHER, that the government provides to the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning, before the February-March 2013 sitting of the Legislative Assembly, a list of the proposed new addictions and Mental Health Program delivery investments to be implemented in 2013-14;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the government provides a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.