Addiction and Mental Health Minister Dan Williams jets off to Washington D.C. today to, by the sound of it, attend a gala reception at the chichi Mayflower Hotel tomorrow night.
Yes, the Alberta Government’s news release Friday said the purpose of Mr. Williams’ junket is “to meet with elected officials, community leaders, lawmakers and practitioners to support the continued development of the Alberta Recovery Model.”
But, let’s face it, with the U.S. presidential campaign fully and officially under way, and a tight race at that if the polls are still to be believed, this is no time for anyone to have meaningful discussions with a provincial politician from a distant corner of Canada, if that was the plan.
If Mr. Williams’ scheduled meetings tomorrow with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration come off as advertised, one imagines they will be pretty perfunctory affairs that amount to a polite response to an insignificant distraction.
When he’s there, Mr. Williams may also want to keep in mind that, for the moment at least, the White House remains in the hands of a Democratic Party president. So he might want to steer clear of his views on reproductive rights.
The “Alberta Recovery Model,” of course, is the United Conservative Party’s politically and ideologically driven abstinence-based, private-sector administered approach to the addiction crisis plaguing every jurisdiction in North America. It is controversial with many addiction recovery experts because it eschews harm-reduction measures that are known to save lives.
While the news release describes the so-called Alberta model as a “comprehensive and evidence-based approach to addressing mental health and addiction care,” it would be fair to say it is by definition not comprehensive and rejects evidence that contradicts the government’s political and ideological goals.
But fear not, your tax dollars will not be wasted. There’s still the America Honours Recovery reception tomorrow evening at the historic Mayflower Hotel on Connecticut Avenue, where mocktails will be served, and then, presumably, it’s on to the “decadent meal” served at dinner.
After that, Mr. Williams and his staffers will make their way to Hartford and Boston to talk with Connecticut and Massachusetts state officials “about their systems, which include using treatment orders for those who are a danger to themselves or others,” as the press release put it.
“Alberta’s government is looking to leverage best practices south of the border that can inform approaches to help those who are a danger to themselves and/or others as a result of their addiction or drug use,” the news release explained.
Mr. Williams, of course, will need to keep in mind that the Canadian and U.S. Constitutions are different and he may be unable to import aspects of American criminal law, a state responsibility in that country, although I suppose we’ll see about that when the UCP’s coercive treatment legislation is introduced in the fall. I mention this only because Premier Smith has shown some confusion on this point in the past.
Given the significant role of U.S. states in that country’s federal elections, state officials may have their eye on another ball as well.
Finally, Mr. Williams itinerary says he and his two staffers will visit the Harvard Research Recovery Institute, a serious and respected institution affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital, the third oldest hospital in the United States.
What the experts there make of Mr. Williams’ effort to pitch “opportunities for collaboration in recovery-oriented care” between Mass General and the UCP’s new “Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence” is interesting to speculate upon.
Since the new director of the Alberta Crown corporation has said the centre’s purpose is to “help the Government advance the Alberta Recovery Model,” to which harm reduction measures are ideologically off limits, it seems unlikely it will produce unbiased information of much interest to the Recovery Research Institute.
Mr. Williams is scheduled to return to Edmonton on Saturday.
Private company that runs ‘recovery community’ opens Edmonton office
ROSC Solutions Group Inc., the private company incorporated in Alberta in December 2022 and contracted by the Alberta Government to run the Lakeview Recovery Community west of Edmonton, has now opened an Edmonton office.
Both the company’s two directors are residents of British Columbia and 100 per cent of its shares are now held by a numbered B.C. corporation. That company, 1399346 B.C. Ltd., was incorporated in February 2023. Two of 1399346 B.C. Ltd.’s three directors are the same as the directors ROSC Solutions Group. All are residents of B.C.
ROSC Solutions Group has not responded to questions about the nature of its business relationship to the Recovery Training Institute of Alberta, which is also to be based on the Lakeview campus in the village of Gunn.
Another day, another expensive junket by the UCP that will result in no benefits to anyone. Forced addictions treatment is proven to fail, and Dan Williams and the rest of the UCP gang are oblivious to that reality, which is proven by medical experts, time and time again. Not a good fit to have someone who guzzled beer in the Legislature to be a minister of addictions. There is so much wrong with what the UCP does, and people cannot even see it, until after the fact.
Mr Williams would do better to visit neighbouring BC where NDP Premier David Eby just announced an involuntary care program for severe addictions and mental illness which sounds an awful lot like Alberta’s coercive treatment legislation.
Whichever province is trying this model, it’s ridiculous and pointless. It’s the equivalent of trying to force an alcoholic into rehab and expecting it to work. They promise, they promise, they promise but until that addicted individual is sick and tired themselves ‘of being sick and tired’, they will always find that next drink/fix. What a waste of time, money and effort!
Smith’s announcement regarding “beach boy’s” visit to the U.S.A. , does she really expect people to believe that? No one goes to the U.S.A. to look at how they do any type of health care. Their health care system is fxxked. They have good doctors and research and all of that, but really you only get to access it if you have money. No money, no health care. If a provincial government wanted to look at a health care model for addictions, they might want to check out some of the European countries. Portugal has a system with a lot of out reach workers who to the addicted to offer medical assistance, etc.
Perhaps Williams is being sent there to start talks about how some corporations can “contribute” to Alberta’s plans or perhaps its simply a reward for saying yes a lot. Given how hard PP is trying to have an election, perhaps Smith thinks PP will P.M. and then they can privitize all of our health care. Williams could be there to advertise all the opportunities which will be coming to them via Canada. Could be Williams has been sent there to lay the ground work for a PP government and he is going to work in Washington DC as something or other or Smith may try to have PP hire him in some capacity. Any one want to be an ambassador to the U.S.A.? Its a nice gig.
Of course it maybe all about oil and sending the health guy is simply a disguise
It certainly does not make sense to send anyone to the U.S.A at this time to do any business. Every one is busy with the American federal election.
Oh, well Smith doesn’t always seem to have her plans organized in a “traditional” manner, so that the most can be made of the money spent. It simply looks like a way for Smith and co. to piss away tax payer’s money.
“Anyone want to be an ambassador to the U.S.A.?” Mr. Peepers has a few good men to choose from besides Mr. Williams. Lord Almost of Crossharbour, once a jailbird in Florida but pardoned by the trump and can now legally enter the States. Too sophisticated? How about Steve Harper sporting a fresh double breasted and a string tie gleaned from the discount rack at Value Village.
Albertans get what they voted for.
Williams will be on the lookout for Americans with “shared values” during his Quixotic sojourn. No doubt Williams and his posse will be seated at table 983 at the Mayflower, requiring binoculars to see the head table and the kitchen door banging into his chair every time someone goes in or out.
Let’s hope that Mr. Williams has honed his table manners since his display of boorishness in the legislature. To be clear: drink from a glass without dribbling its contents down one’s chin, pour beverages into a glass before consumption and never drink directly from a water jug (the servers in fine establishments take care these things), sip instead of guzzling, no belching at the table and never wipe one’s mouth with the back of one’s sleeve. I suspect he might need some fine-tuning with regard to use of a cloth napkin, too, such as not tucking it into his collar and not crumpling it on top of the food left on one’s dinner plate after use. What passes for acceptable behavior in a rock quarry or the nether regions of the north most definitely won’t impress anyone in the Mayflower.
If nothing else comes out of this junket, letting the Americans know that we don’t all behave like we live in a barnyard up north would be something. It might be the only thing, but that is still something.
And one more. For the sake of all that’s true and holy, don’t stick the knife in your mouth.
We’ll see if he returns with facial pokmarks which could suggest attempted use of a knife and fork.
It’s hard to imagine a bigger waste of money than sending this buffoon on a luxury getaway on the taxpayer’s dime.
No it’s not. What about the fake Tylenols, or the hockey palace, or…
They say that travel is supposed to broaden the mind. So one might think with the recent UCP trips by the Premier and this Minister to the US could be a good thing. Of course they also say there are exceptions to every rule.
The UCP trips seem to be to only meet like minded or more extreme people in the US who support or perhaps want to financially benefit from what they are doing. Anybody in the US in a real position of power in Washington is likely too preoccupied with their current elections to pay much attention to Williams and whatever he is trying to do.
But I suppose Washington is nice this time of year even though quieter than usual. And the hotel looks fairly nice too. Even better for Williams and the UCP if Alberta taxpayers are paying for it, not them.
The Alberta modellers are absolutely in step with the quackatologists at the “Recovery Research Institute.” As I stated in a previous comment, “addictions medicine” as a field in the US is entirely fraudulent and has been inextricably linked to the 12-step faith-based confession cult in the us since its inception. Real doctors fought the addictions medicine con-artists for decades, refusing to have the kookery recognized as a legitimate medical specialization.
An interesting ending to the fourth paragraph. The insignificant distraction could be interpreted as the minister’s presence or just the minister.
https://www.albertafamilywellness.org/who-we-are/our-partners/
The AFWI was literally a pet project of the Mannix family with the goal of inculcating Albertans with the absurd “disease model of addiction” in order to implement 12-step faith-based quackery, ostensibly as a “healthcare” solution to people’s responses to economic dislocation. And they have been partnered up with Harvard and Oxfored universities for fifteen years or so. There are no “adults in the room” when it comes to the issue of “addictions” in the us. A $40 billion industry that in no way ameliorates the condition of drug abusers.
Isn’t our premier in New York this week? Something about fossil natural gas I’m sure. There isn’t anything in Alberta needing attention. https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=90978361C8025-03A2-315A-E695584ECDD8AA3F
Correct. DJC
They seem to have neglected to make clear that the solar energy industry is definitely not a good investment in Alberta.
Political interests are all over the proven addictions grift so it will only get worse for everyone but the grifters.
What can we expect from a party the sucks up and punches down? A dumpster fire of our money? Say it isn’t so! Sensei. For you! https://youtu.be/haTB2KS03hY?t=5
With D.J. Trump is need of funds to keep his crazy train rolling, I suspect that Williams will be making a substantial contribution on behalf of the Alberta government.
Giving public money to a foreign political party for campaign purposes? Kenney took a gamble on Keystone XL and dropped about $7 B into TC Energy’s initiative, and it was never seen again.
So here we are, Alberta—wide open prairies, endless skies, and, sitting right in the middle of it all, this Recovery Model. Now, from a distance, it looks pretty good. Real shiny, even. The kind of thing you might squint at and say, “Hey, maybe that’s what we need!” But the closer you get, well, the more you realize this thing’s about as stable as a one-legged stool in a windstorm. It’s patched together with all the integrity of a cheap carnival ride—duct tape, rusty bolts, and a healthy dose of wishful thinking.
Now, I wouldn’t say anyone’s actually laughing, but there’s something about the whole setup that feels like the punchline to a joke nobody told. The UCP (that’s the government, by the way) has managed to weave together something so off-kilter, it’s almost… funny. You know the kind. It’s one of those slow-burners that starts with a chuckle and ends with you holding your head in your hands wondering how it all went so wrong.
Let’s start with the cast of characters. Enter Marshall Smith. Now, this guy’s got a background that would make you scratch your head. He’s the sort of character you’d see in a Coen Brothers film, half in shadow, shuffling some papers around like he’s real busy, but what he’s really doing is moving pieces on a board you don’t even see. He ran Baldy Hughes, a recovery community out in British Columbia. Ran might be too generous a word. It’s more like he was steering a ship that was slowly sinking, and he just kept playing the violin. Scandals, mismanagement, unqualified staff—oh, the usual.
But, here’s the kicker: despite that Titanic of a background, Smith floats on into Alberta and becomes a key architect of the very system he once fumbled. It’s like watching a man who’s never seen a wrench start giving lectures on engine repair. And somehow, the UCP thinks this is fine. Not just fine—ideal. The more you dig, the stranger it gets. Sole-source contracts? Yeah, that means these recovery communities—let’s call them what they are, glorified detention centers—are being handed over to private operators without so much as a public bidding process. You’d think they were trying to sell snake oil, not manage an addiction crisis.
Now, here’s where the Coen-esque absurdity really ramps up. You’ve got these so-called “recovery communities,” but they’re not what you think. No, they’re more like the kind of joint you’d end up in if the law decided they didn’t quite know what to do with you. Addicted? Down on your luck? Well, step right up! We’ll stick you in a place with no harm reduction, no real mental health support, and counselors who wouldn’t know trauma-informed care if it smacked them across the face. Oh, and did I mention that these counselors? They aren’t even regulated under the Health Professions Act. So, yeah, they’re about as qualified as your cousin’s buddy who “did a weekend course” on YouTube.
What’s truly baffling—like the kind of thing that makes you sit back and mutter “You’ve got to be kidding me”—is how the UCP has managed to make this all sound so… official. They’re out there in the public square, waving their arms, telling you how many people complete the programs. But when you ask about the people who don’t make it, the ones who fall through the cracks? Well, it’s crickets. Absolute silence. What they don’t tell you is how they’ve cooked the books, quietly shuffling the failures off the stage like they were never part of the act. “They didn’t want it enough,” they’ll say. “Non-compliant,” they’ll tell you. Just like that, the burden shifts from the program’s glaring faults onto the poor souls who couldn’t fit the narrow mold of “success.”
Now, if this sounds like a disaster, you’d be right. But it’s not the kind of disaster that comes with alarm bells and flashing lights. No, this is a slow-motion train wreck where everyone’s too polite to say anything. You can’t look away, though. Because the deeper you dive into the Alberta Recovery Model, the more you realize that what’s happening isn’t just negligence—it’s a kind of cosmic joke, played out in boardrooms and behind closed doors.
The UCP, with its righteous refusal to implement harm reduction strategies, is playing a game so bizarre that it borders on black comedy. They’ve conflated addiction with criminality in a way that would be funny if it weren’t so damned tragic. By framing addiction recovery as some kind of moral test—one where abstinence is the only answer—they’ve created a system where relapse is met not with understanding or support, but with judgment and exclusion.
And let’s not forget the contracts. These recovery communities aren’t just operating in the shadows; they’re making people rich. The way the contracts are handed out—without competition, without oversight—is enough to make you wonder who’s pulling the strings. It’s like they’ve designed the whole system to fail, or maybe they just don’t care so long as someone’s pockets are lined. And the kicker? The whole time, they’re standing there telling you this is how recovery’s done.
In any good Coen Brothers story, there’s a sense that everything is spiraling toward inevitable disaster. And here, the Alberta Recovery Model fits that mold perfectly. It’s not just a failure waiting to happen—it’s a failure already happening, hidden behind the absurdity of public relations spin and the quiet shuffling of government papers. They’ll tell you about the successes—“Look at all the people who finished the program!”—but the ones who didn’t? Well, they’re nowhere to be found. No data, no follow-up, just a silent exit out the back door. Labeled as “unfit,” “unwilling,” or simply too broken to fix.
The dark humor in all of this, the kind that would make the Coen brothers smile wryly, is that it’s all so avoidable. The system doesn’t have to be this way. Addiction isn’t solved by locking people away in facilities that do little more than warehouse the problem until it becomes someone else’s issue. Yet, here we are, watching the UCP play the part of the hapless bureaucrat, fiddling with a model that was broken before they even put it together, hoping no one notices.
But people will notice. They always do. And when the final curtain falls on this absurd performance, the real tragedy will be in the lives ruined, not by addiction, but by a system that claimed to save them and instead discarded them with the quiet efficiency of a bureaucratic machine.
So, here we are, Alberta. Wide open skies, endless prairies, and a government playing a dangerous game with the lives of its most vulnerable citizens. It’s a joke, but the punchline is dark.