The Alberta government says it is providing funding to Edmonton police for people in custody to access recovery-oriented health supports.
Nicholas Milliken, minister of mental health and addiction, says the province is to spend $17 million over three years to bring in an additional 14 positions to the police force’s social services program.
The government plan is to see that people detained on public intoxication charges are assessed and provided options for treatment.
The province says health services staff are to provide supports at Edmonton police’s headquarters downtown, where they can help up to 17 people at any give time.
Enyinnah Okere, Edmonton police’s chief operations officer, says that those in custody are to be connected with a social support worker for resources such as housing and addiction treatment.
In December, the government announced public safety community response teams in Edmonton and Calgary as part of a plan to address addiction and homelessness in urban centres.
