Alberta Mental Health Review seeks more detox beds for children and adults – CP

Source: The Canadian Press
Feb 22, 2016

CALGARY _ The Alberta government says it will act immediately on six of 32 recommendations to flow from a review of the province’s addiction and mental health system.

The Mental Health Review was launched last June and a final report on improving the delivery of service to Albertans with mental illness and addictions was released today.

Among the six recommendations the province says it will address now is one which seeks the addition of medical detoxification beds for adults in Lethbridge and Red Deer, and extra beds for children and youth in Calgary.

Another will see the government work with First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities to develop an action plan to tackle opiate addictions.

Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann, who co-chaired the review committee, says in a release that the current system is not meeting the needs of Albertans.

Swann also says implementation of the review will require a higher level of leadership by the government and the new Alberta Health Services board.

The committee delivered its final report to Health Minister Sarah Hoffman on Dec. 23.

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