Richard Froese
South Peace News
Peace River MLA and Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams presented a special message to recognize National Addictions Awareness Week held Nov. 24-30.
The issue of addictions is wide-spread across Alberta, Williams says in a government news release dated Nov. 24.
“Addictions is a disease that nearly every Albertan is affected by, either directly or indirectly through a family member or friend,” says Williams, who has served as the minister since June 9, 2023.
Resources and strategies have been developed to help Albertans.
“The Alberta Recovery Model is our policy that focuses on bringing people out of addiction to live healthy lives, reunited with their family, community and culture,” Williams says.
And it’s changing lives for the better.
“We have seen positive trends through 2024, with opioid-related fatalities, so far this year, 37 per cent lower than in 2023,” Williams says.
“We are cautiously optimistic and pleased to see this decrease in the number of people losing their lives to addiction.”
The Alberta government continues to add recovery facilities around the province.
“Our government has now opened three world-class recovery communities with eight more on the way,” Williams says.
“We look forward to expansions exclusively for youth addiction treatment services as we know how important that will be.”