The Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence

A new study published in Addiction examined outcomes after the closure of the Red Deer Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) in Alberta. People who use OPS often live with severe addiction and significant social and economic vulnerability. For them — and their families — it matters that services truly help.

🌍 CoRE’s CEO, Kym Kaufmann, is shaping addiction conversations on the global stage. She was invited to speak virtually at #CICAD in Chile—one of the most influential forums on substance use, addiction, and recovery with representation from 35 countries. Her invitation reflects growing recognition of CoRE’s work advancing recovery-oriented systems of care. Because better data ➡️better care.

May's Mental Health and Addiction Brief looks at how Alberta’s Drug Treatment Courts (DTC) offer a different path to treatment, accountability and recovery. The results: 🧑‍🎓 ~80% graduate 🧑 ~70% don’t reoffend Because better data ➡️ better care. Learn more: recoveryexcellence.org/wp-content/upl…

🚫 No waitlist. Flexible access. Real outcomes. 🧠 Counselling Alberta delivers province-wide counselling with sliding-scale fees, virtual/in-person care, and services guided by real-time client feedback. counsellingalberta.com Counselling Alberta is part of the Alberta Recovery Model , Alberta’s framework for implementing a Recovery Oriented System of Care. alberta.ca/recoveryworks

CASA Mental Health provides several programs, including: 🏠 Live-in treatment ☀️ Day programs 🎓 School-based care All designed to provide the right support at the right time—and give young people the chance to thrive. casamentalhealth.org CASA Mental Health is part of the Alberta Recovery Model, Alberta’s framework for implementing a Recovery Oriented System of Care. alberta.ca/recoveryworks

If you need help, your healthcare provider can quickly connect you to the right care through RAAPID. 🧑‍⚕️ RAAPID connects Alberta healthcare providers to real-time clinical advice, specialist referrals, and coordinated patient transfers—helping ensure timely, appropriate care when it matters most. alberta.ca/recoveryworks

Today is the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. 🧑‍🏭 👷‍♀️ Safe workplaces aren’t just a legal requirement in Canada 🍁 — they can also support recovery. CoRE and the University of Alberta’s Dr. Charl Els created the Recovery Friendly Workplace Series to help employers support workers navigating mental health and substance-related challenges. Learn more: recoveryexcellence.org/research-and-g…

Happy #EarthDay 🌎 Nature doesn’t just support ecosystems — it supports our mental health. Even small amounts of time outdoors can improve mood and overall well-being. 🌿 Learn more about the benefits: ➡️ Nurtured by nature: apa.org/monitor/2020/0… ➡️ Nature can have a nurturing effect on your mental health: camh.ca/en/camh-news-a…?

This is not a failure—it’s a signal that we need to look deeper, ask harder questions, and continue evaluating what truly works in real-world settings. Because better data ➡️ better care. Learn more: recoveryexcellence.org/wp-content/upl…

The result: 👉 There was no significant reduction in overdose deaths or improvements in treatment uptake or retention.

💵 A $350M USD study across 67 communities tested some of the most commonly supportedoverdose prevention strategies, including: • Naloxone distribution • Safer opioid prescribing • Overdose education • Stigma-reduction initiatives • Increased access to opioid agonist treatment (OAT), primarily methadone

👇 CoRE's April Mental Health and Addiction Brief focuses on lessons from a large overdose prevention study and the implications for jurisdictions responding to an evolving overdose crisis.

Therapeutic Living Units (TLUs) provide addiction support within correctional facilities. From July 2023 - March 2025: 📄 650+ applications 🧍 303 individuals served ✔️ ~65% program completion across 4 sites Recovery-focused care is reaching people where they are.

Did you know?

🌎 This World Health Day, we recognize both the progress made—and the work still ahead. #Recovery #MentalHealth #PublicHealth #Alberta

In Alberta, that progress is measurable. 🚑 Opioid-related deaths have declined 39% since the peak in 2023 and everyday substance use declined from 55% to 16% within 3 months with the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP).

🌎 Each year on April 7, World Health Day serves as the world’s annual check-up—a moment for the planet to pause and ask: How are we really doing? #WorldHealthDay

In July 2022, Alberta launched an asynchronous telehealth program in correctional facilities — providing rapid access to life-saving Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT). Since implementation: 🏥 4,500 people screened for OUD on admission (2024–25) 📃 Waitlists eliminated—access within 24 hours Access saves lives.

HELP teams divert people at risk away from the criminal justice system. 👉Edmonton HELP Team (2024-25): Received 7,343 requests for services and provided 5,048 referrals. 👉Calgary HELP Team (2024-2025): Served 11,209 clients and received 4,845 requests for services. edmontonpolice.ca/CommunityPolic… #MentalHealth #Addictions #Alberta

DYK that in #Alberta overdose deaths for people who have recently been in a provincial correctional facility have decreased by almost 70%? Now you know that opioid #RecoveryIsPossible

EMS Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) brings hospital-level care into the community for people facing barriers to traditional healthcare. MIH can provide Naloxone and access to life saving OAT medication such as Sublocade. It offers follow-up and operates 24/7 in Alberta. Learn more: albertahealthservices.ca/ems/Page16487.… #Alberta #addiction #Mental Health