The information presented in this section is meant to provide an overview of key issues and activities for each province and territory across Canada. Please help us to keep this section as comprehensive and up to date as possible by contacting us with your comments, revisions, updates and additions.
Key Substance Abuse-Related Agencies
Treatment Agencies in Alberta
Provincial Drug Strategy or Framework
Substance Use Statistical Highlights for Alberta
Key Guiding Documents
The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) is mandated by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Act to deliver and fund services for alcohol, other drug and gambling problems, and to conduct related research. The Commission provides information, prevention and treatment services for all Albertans. AADAC and AADAC funded agencies are located in 48 Alberta communities offering assessment and outpatient counselling, detoxification and crisis services, short- and long-term residential treatment, and overnight shelter. Specialized programs are available for youth, business and industry referrals, and treatment for cocaine addiction and opioid dependency. AADAC also operates a 24-hour, province-wide, toll-free help line:
1-866-33AADAC Help Line
1-866-332-2322 (Alberta only)
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For information about the many treatment services available throughout Alberta and how to contact them visit
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In 2005, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) led the development of the Alberta Drug Strategy. This strategy is grounded in the same four key elements as Canada’s National Drug Strategy—prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and policing and enforcement. Key objectives of the Alberta Drug Strategy are to
- Delay the onset of alcohol and other drug use
- Decrease alcohol and other drug problems in at-risk groups
- Reduce alcohol and other drug-related morbidity and mortality
- Reduce the harms associated with alcohol and other drugs
- Decrease the availability of illicit drugs
- Decrease health, social and economic costs
"Stronger together", the theme of Alberta’s Drug Strategy, reflects the spirit of collaboration and partnership necessary to keep children, families and communities healthy, and to increase opportunities for co-ordination and support at all levels and across all sectors. It also enables better planning and use of resources and establishes a common frame of reference for action on alcohol and other drug issues.
Tobacco use, problem gambling and concurrent disorders are not within the scope of the Alberta Drug Strategy. To avoid duplication of effort, the Alberta Drug Strategy links with the Alberta Tobacco Reduction Strategy, the Problem Gambling and Responsible Gambling Strategy, and the provincial framework for addressing concurrent disorders.
This focus on collaborative action has been reflected in the more than 57 drug coalitions now working together across Alberta as well as in the initiatives listed below.
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Canadian Addiction Survey 2004, Alberta Report: Detailed Report [PDF]
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), 2006
The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) created The Costs of Substance Abuse in Canada 2002: Alberta Fact Sheet [PDF] based on data from The Costs of Substance Abuse in Canada 2002.
The Alberta Youth Experience Survey 2005
Summary Report [PDF]
Alcohol use among Alberta youth [PDF]
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), 2007
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Building Capacity—A Framework for Serving Albertans Affected by Addiction and Mental Health Issues [PDF]
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), July 2005
Fighting Back: Report and Recommendations of the Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth
Government of Alberta, September 2006
Stronger Together: Coordinated Alberta Response to Methamphetamine [PDF]
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), April 2006
Stronger Together: A Provincial Framework for Action on Alcohol and Other Drug Use [PDF]
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), Octobre 2005