Alberta announces $30M addiction recovery plan

The Alberta government is investing $30 million to expand addiction recovery, mental health, supportive housing and outreach services across the province.

The funding will support the creation of 400 new recovery beds as Alberta works to address addiction and the ongoing opioid crisis.

The province also plans to introduce involuntary addiction intervention under new legislation. As part of the plan, a 105-bed youth facility would allow eligible young people to be held for up to 90 days for addiction treatment.

In Edmonton, an 18-bed stabilization centre is set to open at Edmonton Police Service headquarters. The centre will provide 24/7 medical care and biometric monitoring, with the goal of diverting people experiencing addiction and mental health crises into treatment instead of the justice system.

Mental Health Minister Rick Wilson says more than half of Alberta's opioid deaths and nearly two-thirds of emergency overdose responses occur in Edmonton.

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack welcomed the provincial funding, calling it a positive step toward addressing addiction, mental health and homelessness through stronger cooperation between the provincial and municipal governments.