In Terrace we have a local friendship centre because we're considered an urban centre. Terrace is a hub to the northwest and we have approximately 27 surrounding first nations communities that all come to Terrace for their goods and services. We're definitely lacking in that area of even having any type of counselling available.
I know there are groups that have been advocating for a healing centre or detox, and for the number of first nations we have in our area it's quite shocking that there is nothing available. The first place that you can get any type of help with is in Prince George, which is a six- to seven-hour drive. Then there are certain criteria that have to be met before they can access any of those services.
I think the services need to be streamlined so that people can get help right away because they might be ready to get help today, but next week it might be too late. I know that personally, because I lost my sister a year ago February. She wanted to get help, but there was the red tape and she had to travel and she had to jump through all these hoops before she could get help. Then when it came down to it, it was too late.
We need to be able to streamline and cut out all the criteria to be able to get help. When somebody wants help, we should help them now, not next week or in three months or six months.