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By The Canadian Press

Treatment beds

Alberta premier announces money for 76 new addiction treatment beds

Feb 1, 2020 | 4:37 PM

CALGARY – Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has announced funding for dozens of spaces at private addictions treatment facilities, saying that addressing addictions is a priority even as the province trims spending during tough times.

Kenney told an audience at Fresh Start Recovery Centre in Calgary on Saturday the addictions crisis in recent years is being fuelled by economic despair, and that the funding follows a commitment his government made last year to fund 4,000 spaces in treatment centres over three years.

However, the announcement didn’t include any additional funding for treatment beds in southeastern Alberta. A spokesperson for Associate Ministry of Mental Health & Addiction said the government will continue to fully fund Medicine Hat’s addiction facility.

The announcement comes after Kenney said earlier this month that the province could close or relocate supervised drug consumption sites based on a panel report he says affirms concerns the sites are causing disruption in surrounding neighbourhoods.

Fresh Start will receive up to $1.6 million each year to fund 30 of its 50 beds which translates to nearly 300 treatment spaces over three years. Kenney says only one bed is currently publicly funded.

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Thorpe Recovery Centre in Lloydminister will receive $2.2 million for 36 beds creating 574 treatment spaces including some for medically assisted detox. Sunrise Healing Lodge in Calgary, which specializes in assisting Indigenous people with addictions, will be getting $520,000 for 10 beds.

Fresh Start executive director Stacey Petersen said at the announcement that the support for “abstinence-based treatment and long term recovery is unprecedented.”

—With files from CHAT News