Doug Schweitzer and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan, Cardston-Siksika MLA, Joseph Schow, Blood Tribe Police Chief Kyle Melting Tallow, join other members of Blood Tribe Council

By David Opinko / Dori Modney

Province announces Indigenous addiction treatment and police funding

Mar 3, 2020 | 12:45 PM

STANDOFF, AB. – It’s an announcement that some would contend is long overdue.

Alberta Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan were in Standoff Tuesday (Mar 3) morning to announce new funding to support the Blood Tribe.

The province is shelling out $6.6 Million over the next three years to expand the “Bringing the Sprit Home” safe withdrawal spaces in the community. The number of spaces will increase from six to 24.

Right now, more than 150 people are on a waitlist to access the site. Due to the overwhelming demand, Bringing the Spirit Home CEO Kevin Cowan says they have sometimes had to resort to bringing mattresses in and laying them on the floor – a situation he believes was certainly not ideal but necessary.

The new funding means that over the next three years, more than 3,700 additional Indigenous Albertans will receive addictions services.

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When paramedics respond to an overdose in the community, the client will now be able to choose to go to the nearest hospital or the safe withdrawal management site where they receive medical detox services and 24-hour clinical care for 10 to 14 days.

Since opening just 14 months ago, Cowan says they have had a total of 526 clients. Of those, over 200 who suffered from drug addiction have gotten permanently clean.

He claims it also has tertiary benefits for those who seek treatment, as 150 have gotten dental care and 241 had optometry services.

According to Cowan, the program encourages overall wellness and has several health services interconnected in one facility. They have “zero barriers” and do not require referrals.

Cardston-Siksika MLA Joseph Schow called this an “innovative program with great success”.

Luan said the government hopes to learn more about the results of the expanded program upon completion, and depending on how well it does, they could consider expanding it in the future.

An assistant with the provincial government told LNN that the expansion to Bringing the Spirit Home should be finished “in the next fiscal year”.

The province is also investing $13.6 million this year for the Blood Tribe Police Service and other Indigenous policing initiatives.

Of that amount, Blood Tribe police will get $480,000 to hire five additional officers.

Schweitzer sees the added funding as an opportunity to deal with the illegal drug issue on a number of fronts.

“Along with providing more access to treatment, we believe in a balanced approach to drug addiction that includes ensuring police have the ability to target criminals who prey on vulnerable Albertans by selling illicit drugs. This additional funding will allow Blood Tribe police to create five new positions and put those officers where they’re needed most.”

Blood Tribe Police Service (BTPS) Chief Kyle Melting Tallow is encouraged by the announcement.

“This is excellent news for Kainai First Nation and all of southern Alberta. For years, we have called for more addiction treatment services and supports in our communities. I’m proud that our government has listened and is investing in services that will save lives and help more Albertans on the road to recovery.”

Tallow told media that BTPS has been understaffed for many years. Especially since they cover a large geographic area, the lack of staffing has left their officers stressed and unable to respond to calls as quickly as they would like.

The five additional police officers should be in the field this spring.