Progress Update on the Addictions Prevention and Recovery Services Work Plan
Press Release
September 27, 2023
The Addictions Prevention and Recovery Services Work Plan is producing results since it was released in February this year. The Work Plan identifies 24 action items to continue the work of building a strong continuum of coordinated and easily accessible addictions supports for residents. It responds to recommendations by the Auditor General of Canada delivered in 2022.
To date 29% of the action items in the Work Plan have been completed.
The completed action items include:
- Created a Health Equity Assessment tool that defines equitable access for addictions services.
- Finalized the system map that outlines existing and requested addiction services, with equity and gap analyses.
- Established a Territorial Addictions Working Group to support collaboration among key stakeholders.
- Determined best practices for categorizing demographic information and comprehensive approach for the NWT addictions recovery system.
- Completed review of best practices and national standards in addiction recovery and aftercare.
- Developed a process for aftercare planning and documentation that consistently aligns with person-centered practice and cultural safety.
- Created an overarching logic model and monitoring framework for all core mental wellness and addictions recovery programs.
The GNWT recognizes the importance of transparency and accountability and has developed an online action tracker that enables residents to stay informed about the progress made on each of the action items in the Work Plan.
Quote(s)
“The GNWT remains committed to advancing the Addictions Prevention and Recovery Services Work Plan. We want to provide a robust system of coordinated and easily accessible addictions supports for all residents. We want to give individuals living with addictions the necessary tools and resources to help them on their journey towards a healthier and happier future.”
– Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services
Quick facts
- The Addictions Prevention and Recovery Services Work Plan acts on issues identified through the 2022 Office of the Auditor General’s (OAG) Report and Standing Committee on Government Operations.
- The Work Plan identifies five areas within the addictions prevention and recovery system needing improvement to address the seven recommendations from the OAG:
- increased understanding of residents’ self-determined mental wellness and addictions recovery needs to inform program planning and priority setting;
- enhanced partnerships with Indigenous Governments and communities to ensure a continuum of services that better meets the addictions needs of residents;
- improved access to culturally safe addiction prevention and recovery services;
- increased consistency in coordination of addictions services and aftercare; and
- enhanced ability to track community-identified and service user-identified outcomes.
- To date, 7 action items are completed, 15 are on track, and 2 are delayed.
Related links
For media requests, please contact:
Jeremy Bird
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
Jeremy_Bird@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034
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