Edgewood Treatment Centre

Nanaimo's Edgewood is an 80-bed co-ed facility, although women and men room separately. It offers both inpatient and outpatient programs, including on-site detox and medical staff. Its programming is also based on a 12-step model and residents are able to leave the facility to attend AA, NA, or other similar meetings. Significantly, Edgewood also offers specialized care for opiate addictions, as well as gambling and sexual addiction. Prior to program completion, residents may undertake home trips as trial runs for their sober return home. For after-care, Edgewood offers telephone support and online aftercare facilitated by clinicians, as well as monthly alumni gatherings. Residents may also be recommended for outpatient or open-ended extended care programs, typically ranging between one and three months. Staff also encourages residents to participate in AA or other 12-step programs after their stay.

Like Fresh Start, Edgewood also offers a specialized family support program. The six-day Insight program sees residents' families stay on-site, separate from residents, and undertake study, discussion, and counselling specific to their needs. The committee learned that Edgewood is experienced in travelling to small provincial communities to train local healthcare providers in delivering Insight and that the facility is also developing a version tailored to video conferencing. Members see potential options for NWT families in both.

Poundmaker's Lodge in St. Albert programs two programs in its co-ed, 60-bed facility. The first is a 42-day program for individuals aged 18 years or older. The second is a 90-day program for Alberta youth aged 18 to 24 years. Northerners may access the 42-day program, while NWT women may also access after-care through the facility's Iskwew Healing Lodge Program, an eight-week transitional program built on the Aboriginal Therapeutic Community Model. Poundmaker's Lodge combines FNMI (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) concepts with the abstinence-based 12-step model seen at other facilities. Unique services include meetings with Indigenous elders, opportunities to participate in sweat lodges and smudging, a focus on Indigenous spiritualties, and an annual round dance.

The committee was particularly interested in the facility's partnerships with northern governments. For example, Poundmaker's Lodge previously collaborated with the Salt River First Nation and the GNWT to facilitate a short, mobile treatment program in Fort Smith. Members heard that this program provided participating Northerners with a way to explore and test treatment, and that it ultimately encouraged some to pursue full residential treatment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll pass it on to our colleague, Mr. Nadli. Thank you.