Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

locations not yet announced

Alberta to build five “recovery communities” for mental health and addictions

Jul 15, 2020 | 2:13 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The Government of Alberta has announced the next step in their plan to address issues surrounding mental health and addictions.

An investment of $25-million will support the creation of 400 treatment beds, an increase of 30 per cent of the current capacity.

“We know recovery is possible for people struggling with addiction and mental health and that is why we are dramatically expanding treatment spaces in our province,” says Jason Luan, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Building recovery communities in our province will make it easier for Albertans to access a range of services and get on a lifelong path to recovery.”

Recovery communities use a “holistic” peer-support approach that focuses on a person’s overall lifestyle changes and not just abstinence from drug use.

Luan says participants will relearn and re-establish social functioning, employment skills, and positive family and community ties.

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People can expect to spend anywhere from three months to a full year in these facilities.

When asked about locations Luan’s office said they were not able to specify where in Alberta these five recovery communities will be.

More details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

(Lethbridge News Now)