Alberta Legislature. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Help For Those Struggling

New one-stop-shop for addiction programs and services launched in Alberta

Aug 31, 2021 | 11:06 AM

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is now a singular website that will provide all available resources in the province.

The Alberta Government has created RecoveryAccessAlberta.ca.

Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Mike Ellis says it confidentially provides a list of services including detoxification, addiction treatment, services that reduce harm, peer supportive housing, supportive recovery services, and more.

“RecoveryAccessAlberta.ca will be an invaluable resource for families, people with addiction, recovery coaches, service providers, and others to help people navigate and locate help. Finding treatment and entering recovery can be a challenging time and RecoveryAccessAlberta.ca will make that process easier for everyone.”

He adds that it is important for people to be able to compare all available options to see which would be the best fit for their individual needs.

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Kim Turgeon, Co-Chair of the Alberta Addiction Service Providers Association, states that service providers will be able to answer any questions you have and provide any needed assistance.

“The Alberta Addiction Service Providers Association represents over 30 detox, treatment, harm reduction, peer supportive housing and recovery operators in Alberta. RecoveryAccessAlberta.ca will make finding addiction programs and services easier than ever before in Alberta.”

The province will be investing $53-million to implement more online, phone, and in-person mental health and addiction recovery supports. This is one of them.

“Jason Kenney and the UCP have failed to protect Albertans from fatal overdoses, leading to hundreds of avoidable deaths. More than four Albertans die every day of preventable drug poisonings,” said Lori Sigurdson, NDP Critic for Mental Health and Addictions, in a press release.

“The response from the Kenney government has been to reduce access to life-saving healthcare services, and today’s announcements do nothing to reverse this deadly course.

“I am gravely disappointed that Associate Minister Ellis is pursuing the same failed policy choices of his predecessor,” she continued. “I call on him to put aside his own personal prejudices, examine the huge volume of scientific data on this issue, and implement the Emergency Action Plan I have proposed to save lives in Alberta.

“A website and a recovery coach will be of no help to an Albertan who died alone using substances,” added Sigurdson. “The Alberta government must immediately act to prevent further deaths.”

The Addiction Helpline, a 24-7 confidential toll-free service, at 1-866-332-2322, can provide support, information, and referral to services. Treatment can also start right away by calling the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP) seven days per week at 1-844-383-7688.

(With files from rdnewsNOW)