Debates of October 30, 2024 (day 35)

Date
October
30
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
35
Speaker
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Mrs. Yakeleya
Topics
Statements

Question 397-20(1): Overdose-Related RCMP Calls

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this question is for Minister of Justice, and it's a continuation of the addiction first responder.

Mr. Speaker, we know that illicit drugs are now outpacing alcohol as a source of society's miseries. I know that some people say drug abuse is simply a personal choice. Well, that's not the case in -- that's not the case in many of the small communities where drug dealers are giving drugs to youth and even children who are tempted and treat it like a candy, you know. Our youth are vulnerable and victimized. We need to do more for them. Our young people are dying. So I just want to ask the Minister regarding this that how many overdose related calls did the RCMP respond to in the territory in the last year? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have those numbers on hand so, unfortunately, I'm not able to provide that to the Member at this exact moment. Thank you.

Thank you. Do the RCMP in the NWT carry naloxone kits? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So what first response or medical training do the RCMP have?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So at minimum, they have first aid training. I'm not familiar with other types of medical training they might receive. But they're not paramedics, and I know they're often called on when anything happens. It doesn't matter what, the police are often your first call. So I want to make sure that they are not paramedics. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Final supplementary. Member from Monfwi.

Thank you. Well, they are -- in small communities, we call RCMP first, you know, which is good -- yeah, it's good to know. So, Mr. Speaker, I'm going to ask this question because there are over 900 Tlicho citizens living in Yellowknife, and we have quite a few incidents in Yellowknife related to drugs -- drug issues. We even have one young man that was killed, that was murdered in Yellowknife, and that's still unsolved. So I just want to ask the Minister, he doesn't -- I know he probably won't have the answer but I would like to have it in writing later. So what is the average ambulance response time in Yellowknife currently? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you. That probably would not be a Minister of Justice response, but if the Minister of Justice wishes to address.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that's more of a city of Yellowknife issue. They might have those numbers. So again, unfortunately, I don't have that but I will be looking into this further and seeing what sort of stats I can dig up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife North.