The Alberta Model: It's a Grift

A presentation on Alberta drug policy for a packed Metro Cinema in Edmonton on February 16.

Last week I traveled to Edmonton. I was fortunate enough to get a chance to discuss my research around the Alberta Model of Wellness: the framing through which supervised consumption services, safe supply and other harm reduction measures have been shuttered in favour of abstinence-oriented ‘treatment’ under the UCP. Here’s the presentation, which runs about 11 minutes. Apologies for the slide weirdness - something got all tangled up in the way it recorded!

Thanks to Councillor Michael Janz for hosting, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and MP Heather MacPherson for opening remarks, and the other presenters for their passion and knowledge: Evan Watson, Ginetta Salvalaggio and Shanell Twan.

It was an incredible honour to support this discussion following such powerful films. Read about Love in the Time of Fentanyl and watch Substance Use in the Trades.

Check out our press release for the protest of the Alberta Recovery Conference held on February 21.

Read more