Mental health and addictions issues need multi-pronged approach, says minister

By Herald on July 19, 2021.

Mike Ellis, newly appointed Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, centre, tours Galt Gardens Monday with Coun. Blaine Hyggen and MLA Nathan Neudorf. Herald photo by Tim Kalinowski

Tim Kalinowski – Lethbridge Herald

Newly appointed Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Mike Ellis visited Lethbridge on Monday just one day after the Government of Alberta confirmed a long-awaited 50-bed recovery community will likely begin construction this fall near the current site of the South Country Fresh Start Recovery Centre in Lethbridge County.

Ellis toured Galt Gardens and the overdose prevention site near the Lethbridge homeless shelter while meeting with local officials about the mental health and addictions situation in the city.

“I think it is important to check out all areas of the province, but especially here in Lethbridge,” stated Ellis, who also toured facilities at the Blood Tribe earlier on Monday.  “I heard this is a park that obviously has people that are vulnerable. We want to see what is happening here, and also talking to the law enforcement community, talking to politicians out here, to see in what way the provincial government can provide services out here.”

In addition to confirming that construction would likely begin this fall on the recovery community facility, the Government of Alberta also confirmed it would be providing $300,000 to Southern Alcare Manor to add 11 publicly funded residential recovery treatment beds there.

“It’s about treatment and recovery, education, prevention, intervention,” stated Ellis when asked about his focus coming into his new Mental Health and Addictions role. “For those of you in Lethbridge, I actually have a bit of a background in this. I used to be a sergeant myself within the Calgary Police Service, dealt with a lot of the vulnerable population as a law enforcement officer. I was appointed (to) the Secretariat for Action on Homelessness, and certainly have been provided some strategic feedback in the past. I believe Alberta, with the foundation that has been laid here, has an opportunity to become a role model throughout Canada on this.”

The Herald asked Ellis if his ministry has any plans to help fund additional transitional housing or other housing supports in Lethbridge in order to help those who go through recovery have the best chance to succeed long-term in living a substance-free life?

“We are open to hear what ideas everyone is having regarding helping those who are most vulnerable,” he replied. “For myself, it is a week into the role, but I know, especially when we were dealing with the opioid crisis, I have always said this over the last couple of years: it is a multi-pronged approach. There isn’t just one solution in order to help people with mental health and addictions. It is going to take the community. I think the government has to be open to all ideas.”

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