Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Mike Ellis (right) visited the Northern Addictions Centre in Grande Prairie Wednesday, alongside Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard (Photo: Mike Ellis / Twitter)

By Curtis Galbraith

Addictions and Mental Health

Treatment, recovery key in addressing addictions and mental health issues: Ellis

Aug 12, 2021 | 5:30 AM

Alberta’s new Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions says a community-based approach is needed to treat addictions issues.

Mike Ellis, who sat down with EverythingGP Wednesday during a stop in the city, says this will help get those dealing with addiction on a pathway to treatment and recovery.

“We’re laying that foundation right now and I believe, especially here in Grande Prairie, for instance, I’m excited to see that there are beds available so that when people want that pathway to treatment and recovery, it’s available to them. That to me is how we’re going to help address this crisis.”

RELATED: AHS increases bed space for Grande Prairie residential addiction treatment program

When asked what role supervised consumption sites might play in treating addiction, Ellis said there is a place for harm reduction.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“We do have a responsibility as a community to ensure that person (dealing with addiction) doesn’t die, so we want to make sure that they have a place so that they can get through that particular high,” Ellis said.

“However, this is where we have to make sure that they have the services available to get them a pathway to treatment and recovery.”

Ellis says he was pleased to see the supervised consumption site operating at Wapiti House was not just a place for someone to take drugs, but that staff would talk to users in an effort to get them on the road to recovery.

Ellis also thinks drug treatment courts, like the one planned for Grande Prairie, fall into the category of helping people rather than locking them up.

“It doesn’t absolve a person of their criminal responsibility (for) the crime they had committed. However, getting that person on a pathway to some sort of treatment and recovery … helps curtail recidivism.”

READ MORE: Alberta government announces new drug treatment court for Grande Prairie

Ellis says people who have an addiction who don’t get help fall into what he calls “a cycle of abuse.”

He adds he “doesn’t write anybody off” and that he maintains hope that people can have normalcy in their lives after treatment and recovery.