by Cheryl Leschasin
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 28/97) - Eight employees of the city's primary addictions treatment service were laid off earlier this month due to government cutbacks.

The cuts will affect all four programs at Northern Addictions Services -- detoxification assessment, youth outreach workers, youth residency and the adult assessment unit.

However, Dale Graham, clinical director for Northern Addiction Services, said he does not anticipate a decrease in services available or in quality of care.

"In the past we relied on the government. Now, we must find a new way to utilize resources," said Graham.

Northern Addiction Services will consider using community organizations as new routes for provision of services.

"It never crossed my mind that we won't be able to provide service. People will get the highest quality of care available in the NWT," he said.

Further discussion between the agency and other city organizations on addictions service restructuring will take place throughout the week.