GN pays out $377,076 for rehab in 2003-2004

In 2003-2004, 14 Nunavummiut were sent to the Nats’ejee K’eh Treatment substance abused treatment centre in Hay River, NWT for an average cost of $3,640 per client, not including travel.

Some 57 others were referred to other out-of-territory drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation programs, including Poundmakers Lodge, Isuarsivik Treatment Centre and the Mamisarvik Healing Program.

Of the 71 clients, 38 completed the programs. Of the 46 clients over 18 years old, 30 completed the programs.

The average cost per client was $5,310.93, including transportation, with the overall costs for sending them out of Nunavut for rehab reaching $377,076.

This information was tabled in the legislature by Levinia Brown, the health minister, in response to a question from Keith Peterson, the MLA for Cambridge Bay, during last month’s sitting.