Contract not renewed at Nats’ejee Keh Treatment Centre

Yellowknife (July 11, 2013) – The Department of Health and Social Services has made the decision to not renew the contract with the Nats’ejee Keh Treatment Centre for the delivery of addictions treatment programs when the current contract expires on September 30, 2013.

“This was the best decision for the residents of the NWT,” says Minister of Health and Social Services Tom Beaulieu. “We will continue to provide residential treatment options and implement goals from our Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan and recommendations from the Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness.”

The department decided not to renew the contract based on strong recommendations flowing from the Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness that call for changes to how addictions treatment programs are designed and delivered across the NWT. Nats’ejee Keh has also experienced issues with recruiting and retaining qualified staff in order to deliver a treatment program.

Residential addictions treatment options will continue to be provided to NWT residents. The department is in the process of negotiating contracts with a number of southern treatment programs in Alberta and British Columbia. These contracts should be in place by the end of July 2013.

For more information:

Damien Healy
Manager, Planning and Communications
Department of Health and Social Services
Tel: (867) 920-8927
Email: damien_healy@gov.nt.ca

NT5