Laying the foundation for compassionate intervention

by ahnationtalk on February 24, 202510 Views

Feb 24, 2025

If passed, Budget 2025 will invest $180 million over three years toward building two compassionate intervention centres, paving the way for Alberta’s upcoming legislation.

Alberta is an international leader in addiction treatment and recovery, driven by the Alberta Recovery Model. Alberta’s government has prioritized investments into treatment capacity with 11 recovery communities and the removal of financial barriers for those in need of treatment and recovery. Alberta has also established the gold standard for access to opioid agonist therapy through the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program. With significant progress on the model, Alberta is taking the next step to move forward with promised legislation, known as compassionate intervention.

Alberta’s government is continuing its work to develop compassionate intervention legislation. If passed, that legislation would allow family members, guardians, health care professionals, police or peace officers to request an addiction treatment order for Albertans who are a danger to themselves or others due to their addiction or substance use.

To provide proper health care for these patients with complex addiction needs, Alberta’s government is building two compassionate intervention centres, each with capacity for 150 beds. The Northern Alberta Compassionate Intervention Centre will be built in Edmonton and the Southern Alberta Compassionate Intervention Centre will be built in Calgary. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2029.

“For those suffering from addiction there are two paths – they can let their addiction destroy and take their life or they can enter recovery. Alberta’s government is committed to providing a recovery-oriented system of care to ensure that those suffering from addiction have the opportunity to rebuild their lives. That’s why we are introducing compassionate intervention as another tool in the Alberta Recovery Model. This upcoming legislation will help keep our communities safe while ensuring our most vulnerable can access much-needed recovery supports.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

“We cannot – and will not – stand by and let addiction destroy our families and communities. These new facilities show a strong commitment to delivering on our promise for compassionate intervention, ensuring families are no longer forced to watch their loved ones suffer from the deadly disease of addiction.”

Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction

Compassionate intervention is a made-in-Alberta strategy to address the addiction crisis, taking evidence-based models used in other jurisdictions and tailoring them to meet the unique needs of Albertans. Already, Alberta has seen significant progress with the creation of the Alberta Recovery Model. Alberta saw a 39 per cent decrease in the number of people losing their lives to opioid addiction over the first ten months of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023. In contrast, British Columbia saw only a 13 per cent decline between 2023 and 2024.

The Northern and Southern Alberta Compassionate Intervention Centres would help to continue decreasing the number of lives lost to addiction. The centres would serve as multi-functional facilities where patients will access a full spectrum of mental health and addiction supports to address complex needs. They would include spaces for intake assessments, medically supported detox, counselling, individual and group therapy, and more.

The goal is to provide stabilization, assessment and treatment so Albertans can successfully transition to community supports, such as a recovery community, to continue their recovery journey.

“We value our partnership with Alberta’s government as we work to save lives and bring people into recovery. But with new, increasingly deadly drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl, we can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results while people are dying. As Chief of Enoch Cree Nation, I support compassionate intervention and welcome investments that prioritize Indigenous culture and new approaches that truly meet the needs of our people.”

Cody Thomas, chief, Enoch Cree Nation

With an immediate need to provide compassionate intervention care, Alberta’s government is also exploring options to have temporary compassionate intervention beds more quickly available within existing facilities.

Under the upcoming legislation, individuals would need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for compassionate intervention assessment and treatment. Decisions would be made by an independent commission consisting of lawyers, physicians, and members of the public, which may include Indigenous elders. Treatment would be tailored to each patient’s needs and take place in a secure facility and in the community.

“Tsuut’ina Nation is grateful for our relationship with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction. These new compassionate intervention centres are an important part of addressing the opioid addiction crisis. We are confident that these safe spaces, guided by elders and experts, will provide valuable support for individuals and families in need.”

Roy Whitney, chief, Tsuut’ina Nation

Safeguards would be built into the compassionate intervention legislation to ensure individual rights and freedoms are protected. Individuals would have access to legal support and the Health Advocate, and would retain the ability to appeal. Those who enter into compassionate intervention will undergo regular treatment reviews. Further details about compassionate intervention will be shared when legislation is introduced.

“Today, I feel hopeful. I’m grateful for Alberta’s government because they have acknowledged the addiction crisis in Alberta and committed to proactive programs aimed at saving our loved ones. We must intervene to help people like my son reclaim their lives.”

Amy Schiffner, mother of an adult suffering from addiction

“This commitment to compassionate intervention is ensuring we bring as many people out of addiction as possible. It’s clear Alberta’s government is taking recovery seriously with significant investment into the delivery of compassionate intervention care.”

Bruce Holstead, executive director, Fresh Start Recovery Centre

“There is nothing more heart wrenching than families watching their loved one struggle with the illness of addiction. PEP Society welcomes this investment and action to establish compassionate intervention, and we look forward to having this resource to rebuild health and wellness in families across Alberta.”

Lerena Greig, executive director, Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) Society

“We need to ask ourselves if it is better to leave someone to harm themselves with ongoing addiction or if we should compassionately intervene. The answer is obviously to intervene and do what we can to save someone’s life.”

Earl Thiessen, executive director, Oxford House

Advisory committees are being established to help guide and provide input on the implementation of compassionate intervention within the health system. Members will include representatives from Indigenous communities and families affected by addiction. Alberta’s government will also continue to consult with police and health professionals to establish a robust compassionate intervention system.

Alberta’s government is making record investments and removing barriers to recovery-oriented supports for all Albertans. In addition to adding more than 10,000 new, publicly funded addiction treatment spaces, the province expanded access to the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program, which provides same-day access to life-saving treatment medication. Alberta’s government is also investing in 11 recovery communities, three of which are operational.

Quick facts

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 daily. VODP provides same-day access to addiction medicine specialists. There is no waitlist.
Albertans can call 211 Alberta for information on services and supports in their community.

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