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By rdnewsNOW staff

Several New Initiatives

Province expanding recovery support in Red Deer

Sep 23, 2024 | 3:34 PM

The Alberta government says it is increasing access to recovery-oriented care in Red Deer by launching several new initiatives within the community.

Provincial officials say they have built a system of care based on the belief that recovery is possible for those suffering from the disease of addiction. The government says their focus has been on reducing barriers to recovery by increasing capacity and ensuring that no one is forced to pay for life-saving addiction treatment.

Since 2019, the government says it has added more than 10,000 new addiction treatment spaces. Officials say they have also removed financial barriers and created a program for immediate, same-day access to life-saving evidence-based treatment medication.

Government officials say Red Deer is home to the province’s first of 11 recovery communities being established. According to the government, this facility opened its doors in May of last year and has become a beacon of hope for those suffering from addiction, along with their families.

Officials further note, Red Deer was also the first in the province to open a Therapeutic Living Unit within its correctional centre. This means the recovery community model of treatment has been adopted in corrections, lowering the chances of reoffending and breaking the cycle of addiction and crime in individuals’ lives, say government officials.

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The government says access to opioid agonist therapy has also been expanded to police cells through the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program which can be administered by specialized paramedics with support from the province.

Earlier this year, the government says Red Deer city council put forward and passed a motion requesting a transition of the overdose prevention site to instead implement options focused on health, wellness and recovery.

In response to this request, Alberta’s government says it has committed $3.4 million to provide the following:

• A Mobile Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic operated by Recovery Alberta, located in the homeless shelter parking lot. This is expected to offer screening, diagnosis and referral to services; access to the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program; and education, naloxone kits and needle exchange.
• A Dynamic Overdose Response Team of paramedics and licensed practical nurses to monitor a designated area of the Safe Harbour shelter facility, as well as the surrounding block.
• Recovery coaches in and around the homeless shelter to provide outreach services and help guide individuals along the path of recovery.
• Enhancements to medically supported detox capacity in partnership with Safe Harbour that aims to help more people safely withdraw from substances so they can continue their pursuit of recovery.

In addition, Alberta’s government says it recently provided more than $1.2 million over the next two years to the Red Deer Dream Centre to support 20 additional publicly funded addiction treatment beds.

“Our government will always listen to and take seriously the feedback we receive from elected local leaders,” says Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. “This is a well-thought-out plan that aligns with Red Deer’s needs and requests, which is why the province is making these changes and increasing support for the community. We remain committed to protecting the health and well-being of Albertans while actively supporting connections to treatment and recovery.”

“Our council is pleased to see this new path forward for recovery-oriented services in Red Deer,” shares Ken Johnston, mayor, City of Red Deer. “At the heart of our council’s and community’s efforts is the belief that recovery is possible for everyone, especially the most vulnerable. This is a complex challenge and only by working with all our partners at the province, agencies, businesses, faith communities and all Red Deerians will we create a safe, healthy and prosperous community.”

“We look forward to close collaboration with the province as these changes are made,” adds Johnston.

Government officials say they are working closely with the City of Red Deer, Safe Harbour Society, Recovery Alberta and others to implement these supports starting this fall.

Since October 2018, provincial officials say the overdose prevention site (OPS) in Red Deer has been operating at a temporary location within an ATCO trailer in the parking lot next to Safe Harbour Society’s detox building. As requested by city council, government officials say the OPS will be transitioned out of Red Deer once all other services are operational, which is anticipated to be in spring of next year. According to the government, the program expansion for recovery services represents a net increase in programming and staffing.

“We look forward to bringing a new service to Red Deer with the opening of a Mobile Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic,” states Kerry Bales, CEO, Recovery Alberta. “With this and the new outreach services being put in place, Recovery Alberta will provide opportunities for those facing addiction and mental health issues to access support on an ongoing basis.”

“I am pleased to see that Alberta’s government is working collaboratively with our local government and service providers,” shares Adriana LaGrange, MLA for Red Deer-North, and Minister of Health. “This plan ensures we prioritize Red Deer’s needs while also supporting individuals in their pursuit of recovery.”

“Red Deer is a beautiful community with wonderful families and individuals,” says Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South. “Transitioning the drug site out of Red Deer and focusing on recovery is the right thing to do. Thank you to the Government of Alberta and Red Deer city council for leading, listening and doing what is right.”

“We are pleased to partner with Alberta’s government, Recovery Alberta and the City of Red Deer to increase access to addiction and detox services for those accessing supports at Safe Harbour,” says Perry Goddard, executive director, Safe Harbour Society. “This partnership profoundly enhances our capacity to meet the needs of community members challenged by addiction and to support them in their recovery journey.”

According to the Alberta government, the province is making record investments and removing barriers to recovery-oriented supports for all Albertans, regardless of where they live or their financial situation. This is said to include the addition of more than 10,000 new publicly funded addiction treatment spaces, expanded access to the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program—which provides same-day access to life-saving treatment medication—the removal of daily user fees for publicly funded live-in treatment, and the construction of 11 recovery communities described by provincial officials, as world class.

Albertans struggling with opioid addiction can contact the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP) by calling 1-844-383-7688, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to midnight. VODP provides same-day access to addiction medicine specialists. There is no wait list.

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