Province eliminates $40/day fee for publicly-funded addiction treatment

By GILLIAN SLADE on November 7, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

The UCP government has eliminated the fee Albertans were paying to access publicly funded addiction treatment beds.

Albertans had been charged $40 a day for residential addiction treatment, which could add up to about $2,400 if someone was in treatment for two months.

This was often paid privately and some people qualified for assistance through various government programs. Many Albertans, including students, seniors and those in the workforce who did not qualify for income support, could not access residential addiction treatment due to the financial cost.

Barbara Trautman, mother of local man Bobby Moore who struggled with an addiction and homelessness and then took his own life in September, says this announcement would have made a difference for him.

“Any help at all would have helped Bobby. The biggest issue has been isolation from all government help,” said Trautman.

Jason Luan, associate minister of mental health and addictions, says this is the first time in history that Alberta will provide this service without a fee.

“We are giving all Albertans – regardless of their financial situation – the opportunity to recover and build a better life. Recovery is for everyone,” said Luan.

The elimination of user fees applies only to Albertans accessing publicly funded addiction treatment beds, which includes those at the Medicine Hat Recovery Centre.

The News asked Alberta Health Services for numbers on how many people at the Medicine Hat Recovery Centre were not able to get residential treatment because they could not pay and whether they expected an influx of clients now that the fee has been removed.

There was no response to the request.

Trautman would also like to see a change in how people with addictions and mental health issues are treated.

“Rather then set them up for failure, make them accountable to attend every program available to learn how to live and gain life back to becoming normal,” she said. “I am grieving such a loss for the unfortunate in this world.”

Albertans struggling with addiction can contact the addiction help line at 1-866-332-2322 for support, information and referral to services. The toll-free, confidential help line operates 24/7.

If you are struggling or have thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, contact the distress centre at 1-800-784-2433.