Mental Health & Addictions
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There is Nothing 'Compassionate' About Bill 53
EDMONTON — This afternoon, the government tabled Bill 53: Compassionate Intervention Act, fulfilling their promise to table forced treatment legislation in this legislative session. If passed, it will allow for mandatory treatment orders that remove a patient’s right to consent and permit individuals to be involuntarily confined against their will. The tabled legislation does not address previously raised, legitimate concerns about the serious infringement on the rights of Albertans, nor the considerable evidence that legislation of this type is both dangerous and ineffective.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
April 15, 2025 -
There is Nothing Compassionate About the Government’s Addictions Care Plan
EDMONTON — Yesterday, in what felt like a desperate ploy to change the channel on the ongoing scandal around surgical procurement allegations, the Premier and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions pre-empted Budget 2025 with a press conference announcing a massive spending plan of $180 million toward building two “Compassionate Intervention Centres.”
Written by Alyssa Pretty
February 25, 2025 -
Housing is Health Care: Urgent action needed as winter weather arrives
Winter has arrived while a record number of Albertans are living unhoused or without stable housing. The combination of cold weather and a lack of housing are already adding totally preventable pressures on to our hospitals, emergency services and health care system.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
December 02, 2024 -
National Addictions Awareness Week: Alberta must treat addictions care as health care
Edmonton - November 24 - 30, 2024 marks National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), meant to be an opportunity to learn and highlight ways to address harms related to substance use. As we mark NAAW this year, Alberta continues to see multiple deaths per day due to drug poisoning. This week must be a time to commit to treating addictions care as health care, and to putting patients ahead of profits.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
November 24, 2024 -
Overdose Awareness Day Highlights Need to Change Course, Save Lives
EDMONTON — Each year, August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). It is an opportunity to mourn those we have lost, and to refocus our collective work to end overdose and tackle the toxic drug poisoning crisis in our communities. Last year, Alberta saw our highest ever number of drug poisoning deaths, with the most recent government data now tallying a devastating 2,069 deaths in 2023.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
August 29, 2024 -
Government Continues Privatization of Addictions Care in Alberta
EDMONTON — This morning the provincial government celebrated the opening of a third Recovery Centre, this one in Gunn, Alberta. This is the latest announcement in the ongoing expansion of their so-called “Alberta Recovery Model.”
Written by Alyssa Pretty
August 15, 2024 -
Albertans Need Support, not Punishment.
EDMONTON — June 26 is the Global Day of Action for the Support Don’t Punish campaign. In Edmonton, Friends of Medicare will be joining other advocates and community members gathering at 12:00 noon at Churchill Square today for a rally and march in opposition to the UCP government’s proposed forced treatment legislation, and in support of evidence-based voluntary treatment options in Alberta, including harm reduction services.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
June 26, 2024 -
Federal Budget Could Improve Health of Albertans
This afternoon, the federal government tabled their 2024-2025 budget. Included is funding for the continued expansion of national dental care coverage, and crucial funding for the roll out of universal, single-payer Pharmacare — both key commitments in the Confidence and Supply Agreement between the NDP and the Liberals.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
April 16, 2024 -
We need Real Action on Drug Poisonings, not Another Sales Pitch
EDMONTON — This afternoon, the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction announced they are tabling Bill 17, a piece of legislation that establishes the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE), an entity designed to be directly aligned with the goals and priorities of the Government of Alberta.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
April 09, 2024 -
Addictions Care is Health Care
CALGARY — This morning in Calgary, Friends of Medicare stood alongside Mike Parker, President of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), in calling on the provincial government to release up-to-date data and broaden its approach to addiction care beyond their one-size-fits-all model.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
April 04, 2024