Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A new working group has been formed to look into addictions issues in the NWT and the possibility of building a new treatment centre in or near Yellowknife, the minister of Health and Social Services said in the legislative assembly on Wednesday.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins brought up his concerns over a lack of addictions treatment facilities twice during Wednesday's session.

This is an issue he has raised in the legislature at least six times, he said during his member's statement, "yet this issue continues to be ignored by this government."

Hawkins elaborated on his position during question period, saying that while he would like to see a treatment centre in the capital city, what he really wants is for the territorial government to start making progress on the health issues surrounding drug addiction in the territory.

"It doesn't have to happen here in Yellowknife, it could happen anywhere where it could be properly resourced to treat people who have problems," he said. "Yes, as a member for Yellowknife it would be nice if it was here, but I care about the problem more."

Tom Beaulieu, minister of Health and Social Services, replied to Hawkins question by saying that a new working group had been formed to look further into the issue.

"Although it may appear that the drug issue is a huge issue in Yellowknife, we want to identify exactly how huge the issue is," he said.

Fourteen people have been chosen for the working group. These people will travel to various regions in the territory in smaller groups and will then re-convene and write a recommendation report to the Department of Health and Social Services by the end of the calendar year, said Beaulieu.

While it is too soon to speculate on these recommendations, Beaulieu did say there has been some talk of building two new addictions treatment centres, one in Yellowknife and another in the Beaufort Delta.

When prompted by Hawkins, Beaulieu also committed to tabling the working group's recommendation report in the legislature once it is complete so that it becomes a public document.

Go to nnsl.com online For live blogging of legislative assembly question period with Laura Busch

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.