Today, Red Deer welcomed around 300 service providers, people with lived experience in addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges, Indigenous Peoples, law enforcement, community leaders in justice and education, and interested citizens to the city’s first Recovery Summit.
Those who call Red Deer home have watched as addiction, crime, and social disorder have grown more prevalent, having a significant impact on business owners, families, and general public safety. City Council recognizes the concerns and wants to ensure Red Deer remains a vibrant city, a welcoming place to start a business, and raise a family.
The theme of the conference is “Embracing Recovery Together,” which demonstrates Red Deer’s commitment to compassion for those suffering from the deadly disease of addiction. The one-day conference provided a combination of training and keynotes from industry professionals in the field, opportunities to explore what a localized Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) looks like, and to build a unified understanding of why recovery is an important part of the city’s path forward.
“Every Albertan struggling with addiction deserves an opportunity to pursue recovery,” said Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. “Our government is proud to be leading the country in a better path forward, and it’s with the support of experts and community members like those who gathered today that we can make recovery possible.”
“Recovery works, and it starts with us. It starts with the fundamental steps and the message of hope,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “It was so heartening to see a room filled with people who are here to learn that recovery from addiction can have many pathways and learn about the resources available in the community which further support that message of restoration and health.”
Earlier this year, Alberta’s government opened doors to the Red Deer Recovery Community, a 75-bed addiction treatment facility that offers services for up to 300 people every year. The opening of this facility has been a big step to support recovery in Red Deer and central Alberta and City Council is eager to continue with a recovery-focused approach.
For more information about the Alberta Model, please visit: www.alberta.ca/recoveryworks