Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Access to health care and addressing the effects of trauma is a priority of this Assembly. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, my colleague, the Member for Yellowknife North, touched on health promotion and well-being in our small communities, which is an issue I have raised in the past and something I am passionate about. We have people living with diabetes or cancer. Reliable health information can be life changing and lifesaving. Other people need information about quitting smoking, prevention, nutrition, getting active, sexual health, and education about substance abuse. Across the territory, and especially in small communities, we have high rates of alcohol use, smoking, chronic diseases, and sexually transmitted infections.
Mr. Speaker, this all needs to change. These rates need to go down, or our health system will become even more burdened than it currently is. During the fall session, the Minister of Health and Social Services said the community health representative in collaboration with the department of health and the RCMP had a campaign going on for illicit drugs. The current approach seems to be that the CHRs assess needs in the communities and then design programs based on those needs. I want to know what campaigns are in place in my riding to reach our youth, adult, and elders so that they can be aware of health issues, the risks, and how to manage them.
Mr. Speaker, I've said it before many times: I would like to see people being healthy, informed, and thriving. I do not want small communities to get left behind. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.
