Alberta Intervention

Information on Drugs, Alcohol and Interventions in Alberta

When thinking about an alcohol or drug
intervention in Alberta, it is helpful to understand the predominance of
the various drugs and their activities within the state. Located in
western Canada, Alberta is one of only two Canadian Provinces which is
completely land-locked. Abounding in natural beauty, Alberta is a
largely rural province, and around two-thirds of its inhabitants live in
the two largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton. The capital, Edmonton, is
the primary supply and service hub for Canada’s oil sands, and other
northern resource industries. Alberta’s economy is one of the strongest
in Canada, supported by the burgeoning petroleum industry and to a
lesser extent, agriculture and technology. However, Albertans are not
immune to the scourge of drug and alcohol addiction found throughout the
rest of Canada.

Alcohol use:

• Nearly 80% of Canadians aged 15 years and older drink, but most drink in moderation and without harm.
• 17% of past-year drinkers are considered high-risk drinkers
  according to the World Health Organization’s Alcohol Use Disorders
  Identification Test (AUDIT).
• High-risk drinkers are predominantly males and those under the age of 25. Cannabis and other drug use:
• 14% of Canadians reported using cannabis in the past year, nearly
  double the rate reported in 19(7.4%); however, almost 46% of these
  people had not used cannabis or had used it only once or twice in the
  three months preceding the survey.
• 30% of 15-17 year olds and just over 47% of 18-19 year olds reported having used cannabis in the past year.
• Although about 1 in 6 Canadians has used an illicit drug other than
  cannabis in their lifetime, few have used these drugs during the past
  year. Past-year rates are generally 1% or less.
• Both lifetime and past-year use of illicit substances other than cannabis is highest among men and those aged 18-24.

In 2003, approximately 3,740 kilograms
of cocaine were seized in Canadian-related interdictions: 1,229
kilograms within Canada and an additional 2,511 kilograms abroad en
route to the Canadian market. In 2003, approximately 60 kilograms of
heroin were seized in Canadian-related interdictions: 35 kilograms
within Canada and an additional 25 kilograms abroad en route to the
Canadian market. As in 2002, the interdiction rate remains low. This
does not, however, reflect a change in the supply and demand for this
narcotic on the Canadian market. The availability and purity of heroin
have not declined, while prices have remained stable. Groups
traditionally involved in heroin trafficking have expanded their
activities to other substances, namely marihuana, Ecstasy and
methamphetamine. The huge profit margin generated by these other drugs
could explain this expansion.

Also See: Heroin Intervention!

Marijuana cultivation is by no means a
new phenomenon in Canada. It has been practiced for several decades from
coast to coast. Today, the extent of this illicit activity, the
involvement of organized crime, and the potency of the drug are what
differentiate the current situation from that which prevailed before the
early nineties. Trafficking and use of controlled synthetic drugs have
become firmly entrenched in the Canadian illegal drug culture. While the
rave phenomenon served as the primary vehicle for the proliferation of
Ecstasy trafficking and use, it also led to the introduction of other
club drugs and the resurgence of established illicit synthetics, notably
methamphetamine. The unprecedented rise in illegal synthetic drug use
is a direct by-product of raves (all-night dance parties) and the club
drug scene. However, representative sampling indicates that the use of
synthetic drugs is expanding from these traditional areas to more
mainstream use. While youth and young adults remain the main users of
synthetic drugs, there are also increasing reports of adult usage. The
synthetic drug trade is multidimensional, involving importation,
exportation, domestic production and trafficking. In Canada, it has
evolved from a relatively small market to a huge profit-making
opportunity, enticing major organized crime networks to reap the
benefits of this lucrative international enterprise.

In Canada, surveys conducted among high
school students indicate an increase in methamphetamine use among that
population. Data on fluctuations in use among the adult population are
not available. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently stated that
‘methamphetamine is the most widely used illicit drug after marijuana’.
Concomitantly, the domestic production and trafficking of
methamphetamine has dramatically increased while its distribution and
use have reportedly skyrocketed in some regions of Canada. The continued
increase in methamphetamine popularity will be a considerable source of
harm to consumers and a negative impact on the environment, as
experienced in the U.S.

• It is not uncommon for drug traffickers involved in conspiracies to
  import cocaine, Ecstasy, and liquid cannabis resin to also control
  various marijuana grow installations in Canada.
• Marijuana cultivation continues to spread throughout the country.
  The exportation of Canadian marijuana to the United States is
  increasing.
• The importation of hundred-kilogram quantities of cocaine into
  Canada is carried out mainly via sailing or fishing boats. This trend
  departs from previous years when the preferred smuggling method involved
  the use of marine containers.
• The decrease in hashish seizures over the past years could be
  attributable to a combination of factors: the impact of major
  enforcement actions in 2002, changes in national enforcement priorities,
  and a perceived waning popularity of this drug in favor of marijuana.
• The importation of Ecstasy from Europe (notably, the Netherlands) to
  Canada continues at a significant level. At the same time, the domestic
  manufacture of Ecstasy and its analogue, MDA, appears to be on the
  rise.
• Almost 29% of lifetime drinkers in Alberta reported experiencing
  harm to at least one life area as a result of their drinking during
  their lifetime, and almost 10% of those who used alcohol in the year
  preceding the survey experienced harm related to alcohol over that time.
• 26.1% of lifetime illicit drug users reported experiencing harm to
  at least one life area as a result of their illicit drug use at some
  point during the year preceding the survey. The most common types of
  harm associated with illicit drug use were in the areas of physical
  health and friendships or social life.

Regrettably, with the extent of the
addiction problem in Alberta, treatment options for those seeking
recovery are few and far between. Many are forced to seek treatment
elsewhere.

Let our intervention specialists help to guide you in choosing the best treatment solution for your loved one..

Drug or Alcohol Interventions in Alberta

It is not uncommon for someone seeking
an interventionist to want to limit their choices to an interventionist
in Alberta. Granted, an Alberta interventionist might be “right around
the corner”, and you could possibly save on the cost of a flight. But
consider that Intervention Services USA is the largest intervention
service providers in North America, delivering over 10 successful
interventions per week. A therapist in Alberta who has provided
counseling to addicts and alcoholics is not necessarily an expert in the
field of drug and alcohol interventions. Call now to speak to one of
our qualified substance abuse counselors and Alberta intervention
specialists to understand the difference.