The Alberta Government has unveiled the next steps in its restructuring of addiction care in the province.
On April 15, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Dan Williams introduced the Compassionate Intervention Act into the Alberta legislature to continue efforts in building a robust system of recovery in the province.
The new Alberta Recovery Model is based on information from other jurisdictions around the world, including Norway and Portugal in Europe and Massachusetts and Washington in the United States.
Information was also studied from those in safety sensitive occupations, such as pilots, nurses, pharmacists, and others.
“For those suffering from addiction, there are two paths – they can let their addiction destroy and take their life, or they can enter recovery," said Premier Danielle Smith. "There is no compassion in leaving people to suffer in the throes of addiction and in Alberta we choose recovery. That’s why we’re introducing compassionate intervention – another tool in the Alberta Recovery Model – to help keep our communities safe while ensuring our most vulnerable can access much needed recovery supports.”
Under the Compassionate Intervention Act, an independent commission will be formed which will oversee the process.
The first step in the process will be the application. An adult family member, medical professionals, or law enforcement officers who feel that an individual dealing with addiction issues is a risk to themselves or others can submit an application to the commission.
A director and review team will look over the application, and applications considered complete will be forwarded on to the commission. If the commission lawyer finds the application meets the criteria for a 72-hour assessment, an apprehension order is issued.
If an apprehension order is given, police are then tasked with locating and transporting the individual to a compassionate intervention centre.
Once at the centre, the individual goes under the care of a treatment team. They will receive support as they detox from the drugs in their system, as well as undergo screening, physical exams, and other assessments.
While under the 72-hour hold, the director and team will pull together supporting documentation, including the assessment findings, police records, and health records.
At the conclusion of the 72-hour hold, the individual will go before a three-person commission panel, consisting of a lawyer, a physician, and a member of the public, to determine next steps. Other participants at the hearing include the individual, the director, any advocates and family members. If criteria are met, the individual will be referred to one of two care plans.
A secure care plan will have the individual at a treatment centre for up to three months. A community-based care plan will run for six months. Both plans are reviewed every six weeks and can be amended or renewed as needed.
After an individual leaves the compassionate care system, they receive a discharge plan for ongoing supports and services.
Ongoing supports may include community day-programs, psychiatric care, or work with a recovery coach. After care could also include helping to find housing, employment, skills training, and more.
During this process, an individual will be asked if they consent to treatment, though under the legislation certain treatments, such as observation, clinical advice, and medications to treat substance use or addiction approved by the commission and prescribed by physicians cannot be refused, similar to provisions under the Mental Health Act.
“We cannot – and will not – stand by and let addiction destroy our families and communities," said Williams. "The Compassionate Intervention Act will provide life-saving support, ensuring families are no longer forced to watch their loved ones suffer from the deadly disease of addiction and endure the pain it brings.”
As part of the province's Compassionate Care initiative, it has budgeted $150 million over three years to build two 150-bed compassionate intervention centres, one in Edmonton and one in Calgary. Construction on the centres is expected to begin in 2026 with the centres to open in 2029. The centres will be operated by Recovery Alberta.
In between now and then, a number of temporary beds will be opened around the province.
To handle youth, the province is planning to transition the safe houses used under the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act to the compassionate intervention program and a new Northern Alberta Youth Recovery Clinic is expected to open in 2026. The new centre will more than double treatment capacity for youth.
The Compassionate Intervention Act will repeal the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act and allow for easier access to the system and longer duration stays, if required.
A unique aspect of the Compassionate Intervention Act is that it was built around a "strong partnership focused on recovery" with the province's Indigenous Peoples. Under the act, First Nations and Metis "can integrate their unique practices and traditions into the compassionate intervention process."
“With evidence-based programming and support, the compassionate intervention program will be a world leader in addressing some of the most complex cases of addiction," said Kerry Bales, CEO of Recovery Alberta. "Recovery Alberta is well positioned to deliver this with incredible staff and clinicians, and we look forward to supporting more people in their journey to reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction.”
Since 2019, the province has funded more than 10,000 addiction treatment spaces, is working towards building 11 recovery communities, including four in partnership with First Nations communities, and expanded the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program.
