Government of Alberta expands addiction detox capacity in Edmonton

The George Spadey Society will run the Aurora Centre on Stony Plain Road near 156 Street.

The province has expanded its addiction detox capacity in Edmonton with the relocation of a unit of the George Spady Society.

The organization increased its capacity by 46 per cent after the province provided $13 million through its Alberta Recovery Model. Of that, $8 million supported the move of its medical detox unit.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Medical withdrawal management, also known as medical detox, aims to help people suffering from chronic addiction to safely stop while under the supervision of health care professionals. Depending on the needs of the individual, medications may be administered to ease withdrawal symptoms.

George Spady Society’s new facility, the Aurora Centre, is located on Stony Plain Road in northwest Edmonton and began accepting clients in late August. The centre is expected to serve up to 2,300 people annually with 41 withdrawal management beds and 19 pre-treatment beds.

“For decades, George Spady Society has offered valuable leadership in Edmonton’s social services sector, helping shape solutions that meet people where they are and create lasting change,” said the organization’s board chair Devon Jones. “This new facility represents dignity, safety and the belief that recovery is possible.”

The province’s Alberta Recovery Model, which promotes a recovery-based approach to dealing with addiction, has been criticized by health practitioners and former drug users who say harm-reduction measures, like supervised consumption sites and access to opioid treatment, should also be part of the government’s plan.