Alberta invests $23 million in youth addiction recovery initiative

In an ongoing effort to combat addiction issues, the Alberta government announced plans to construct a dedicated addiction treatment centre targeting youth. The centre, which is set to receive an investment of $23 million, will be established through the renovation of part of the existing Edmonton Young Offenders Centre. This approach not only aims to cut costs and construction time but also allows for the utilization of pre-existing infrastructure while maintaining a focused environment for recovery. Officials emphasize that the centre will be entirely distinct from the corrections facility, ensuring that youth participants will not share living spaces with offenders. The new recovery centre will provide a range of support services designed to engage youth during their treatment. Participants will have access to individual, group, and family counselling tailored to their unique needs. Furthermore, the centre will offer opioid agonist treatment medications to help support recovery processes. The involvement of parents and caregivers in the treatment process is also highlighted as a crucial component, fostering a collaborative recovery environment that encourages family engagement. This initiative is part of a larger framework known as the Alberta Recovery Model, which seeks to instigate long-term, measurable improvements in addiction recovery. The model places significant emphasis on building recovery communities, wherein individuals can garner support not just from healthcare professionals, but also from their families, friends, and even workplaces. This comprehensive approach to recovery recognizes that sustaining recovery often requires a network of social support that extends beyond clinical settings. In addition to this new youth centre, the Alberta government has plans to invest a substantial $350 million into the construction of 11 adult recovery communities across the province. Some of these recovery communities are already operational while others are still under development, collectively estimated to serve over 2,000 adults annually. This broader strategy demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing addiction at multiple levels and reiterates the importance of community support in the recovery journey.