Alberta’s government is set to spend $180 million over the next three years to build two compassionate intervention centres in Edmonton and Calgary, as part of its broader effort to address addiction and recovery.
The initiative aligns with upcoming provincial legislation that would allow for court-ordered addiction treatment for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others.
Premier Danielle Smith emphasized the province’s commitment to supporting individuals suffering from addiction through a recovery-oriented system of care.
“For those suffering from addiction, there are two paths — they can let their addiction destroy and take their life, or they can enter recovery,” Smith said.
“This upcoming legislation will help keep our communities safe while ensuring our most vulnerable can access much-needed recovery supports.”
The two new secure centres, each with a capacity of 150 beds, will serve as specialized treatment facilities for individuals requiring intensive intervention.
They will provide a range of services, including medically supported detox, counseling, individual and group therapy, and long-term treatment plans aimed at stabilizing patients and preparing them for reintegration into community recovery programs.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and finish in 2029.
Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, highlighted the urgency of addressing Alberta’s addiction crisis.
“We cannot — and will not — stand by and let addiction destroy our families and communities,” he said.
“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.”
Alberta’s approach builds on its existing addiction treatment framework, known as the Alberta Recovery Model, which has led to a 39% decline in opioid-related deaths in the first ten months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
By contrast, British Columbia reported only a 13% decline.
The compassionate intervention legislation, if passed, would allow family members, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement to request court-ordered treatment for individuals with severe addictions.
An independent commission, including legal and medical experts as well as indigenous elders, would oversee assessments to determine eligibility.
Indigenous leaders have expressed support for the initiative.
Cody Thomas, Chief of Enoch Cree Nation, emphasized the need for culturally appropriate addiction treatment, while Chief Roy Whitney of Tsuut’ina Nation welcomed the commitment to providing safe spaces guided by elders and experts.
Advocates for addiction recovery also praised the initiative.
“We need to ask ourselves if it is better to leave someone to harm themselves with ongoing addiction or if we should compassionately intervene,” said Earl Thiessen, executive director of Oxford House.
“The answer is obviously to intervene and do what we can to save someone’s life.”
Alberta’s government is also considering temporary compassionate intervention beds at existing facilities to address the immediate need for intervention care while the new centres are under construction.
Safeguards will be built into the legislation to protect individual rights, including access to legal representation and appeal options.
This investment in compassionate intervention is part of Alberta’s broader strategy to expand recovery-oriented care.
The province has already added more than 10,000 publicly funded addiction treatment spaces and established 11 recovery communities, three of which are operational.
Additionally, the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program provides same-day access to addiction medicine specialists, with services available seven days a week.
Albertans struggling with opioid addiction can contact the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program at 1-844-383-7688, from 6 a.m. to midnight daily. For information on community services and support, residents can call 211 Alberta.
