Indigenous addiction treatment centre to expand with $1.4M investment

EDMONTON -- Help is on the way for Indigenous Albertans seeking addiction treatment after the province announced a $1.4-million investment into Poundmaker's Lodge Treatment Centres.

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jason Luan said the money will pay for 28 new residential addiction treatment beds for a men's program and seven existing beds for a women's program at the Iskwew Healing Lodge.

The $1.4 million will also pay for upgrades to five medically supported detox beds.

Luan said the investment means approximately 300 recovery-oriented treatment spaces will be available per year.

"When we say it is inspiring to see so many people united in recovery improve their health…it's how you guys have demonstrated that is possible," he told a group that included treatment centre staff and elders.

Luan said the investment comes as the province sees an average of two people fatally overdose every single day.

"Far too many Albertans are still living in the life of addiction due to the lack of access to treatment services. On top of that, Indigenous people in Alberta are two to three times more likely to suffer from addiction than the normal population," said Luan.

Brad Cardinal, executive director of Poundmaker's Lodge Treatment Centres, said the money will equate to saved lives.

"It means increasing treatment beds, detoxification beds, shorter wait times, rapid response, increased health outcomes with a culturally based comprehensive approach to treating addictions," he said.

This is not a light decision made, but a difficult one involved several Ministries. Albertans expect their Gov to be efficient & effective. We’re reallocating our limited spaces to create more room for urgent treatment beds to save lives. #AbLeg @Richard4Alberta @prasadpandayyc https://t.co/MmwwraHalg

— Jason Luan (@jasonluan88) December 4, 2019

The announcement comes after the Nechi Institute, and Indigenous healing centre that offers counselling and therapy services, was evicted form the site to make room for the additional beds.

Rick Wilson, Alberta Minister of Indigenous Relations, countered by saying Nechi was given four months to relocate—and that more addiction treatment access was sorely needed in Alberta.

Poundmaker's Lodge has been in operation for 46 years and blends Indigenous healing with western practices to help treat addictions. It serves an average of 550 clients annually, according to Cardinal.