Alberta's Bold Step Forward in Campus Wellness

Alberta's government has made a significant commitment to student well-being by investing $3 million over three years in the Recovery on Campus Alberta initiative. This funding doubles the province's previous support, signaling a strong push to integrate addiction recovery resources into the daily lives of post-secondary students, staff, and faculty across all 26 publicly funded institutions. Led by the University of Calgary, the program addresses a critical need amid rising substance use challenges in higher education.

The announcement, highlighted by Ministers Rick Wilson of Mental Health and Addiction and Myles McDougall of Advanced Education, underscores the Alberta Recovery Model's life-stage approach. "Recovery is possible," Wilson emphasized, highlighting how these supports enable students to focus on academics while accessing help.

Understanding Recovery on Campus Alberta

Founded in 2022 and spearheaded by Dr. Victoria Burns, an associate professor in the University of Calgary's Faculty of Social Work with lived recovery experience, Recovery on Campus Alberta (ROC) builds on the success of UCalgary's Recovery Community launched in 2021. This peer-driven model creates inclusive environments that celebrate all recovery pathways—from abstinence to harm reduction—fostering bio-psycho-social-spiritual health, community, and purpose.

ROC operates through four pillars: direct recovery support like coaching and peer groups; education and training such as Recovery 101 workshops; research via the new Recovering in Place Lab; and policy alignment for sustainability. These efforts aim to normalize recovery, reduce stigma, and provide recovery-friendly spaces province-wide.

The $3 Million Investment Breakdown

The fresh $3 million infusion, announced at a February 19, 2026, launch event, expands ROC's reach. Initial seed grants of $75,000 each went to Mount Royal University, University of Alberta, and Red Deer Polytechnic, with more available to other institutions. This funding supports scholarships like the Recovery Champion Award ($2,500 per recipient), substance-free events, outreach, and research opportunities.

Over three years, the money will embed supports into campus life, from individual coaching to group activities, ensuring accessibility for students pursuing degrees in fields like nursing or engineering while managing recovery. For context, explore wellness-focused roles in higher-ed jobs that align with these initiatives.

Why Post-Secondary Campuses Need These Supports

Substance use is prevalent among Canadian post-secondary students. The 2024-2025 Canadian Postsecondary Education Alcohol and Drug Use Survey (CPADS) reveals 75% consumed alcohol in the past year, 39% used cannabis, with notable rates of other substances leading to harms like academic interference. In Alberta, the opioid crisis exacerbates this, with the province seeing high hospitalization and death rates, impacting young adults in higher education.

Students face unique pressures: academic stress, social transitions, and isolation, often delaying help-seeking. ROC intervenes early, offering on-campus resources to prevent escalation and support retention.

Spotlight on University of Calgary's Leadership

UCalgary's University of Calgary Recovery Community (UCRC) pioneered Alberta's campus recovery model, providing drop-in spaces, peer meetings, and events since 2021. The Recovering in Place Lab now drives province-wide research, using lived experience to inform best practices.

Dr. Burns notes, "We're excited to launch this three-year action plan... embedding recovery into campus life." Initiatives include Recovery Ally Training and ROC Talks, shifting campus culture.

Learn more via Recovery on Campus Alberta or UCalgary's commitment page.

Expansion Across Alberta's Institutions

ROC now spans all 26 public post-secondary institutions, including universities like University of Lethbridge and Athabasca University, polytechnics such as NAIT and SAIT, and colleges like NorQuest and Keyano. Lethbridge Polytechnic, for instance, gains stable funding for sustained supports.

• Universities: UCalgary, UAlberta, ULethbridge, Mount Royal U
• Polytechnics: Red Deer Poly, Lethbridge Poly
• Colleges: Olds College, Lakeland College

This network fosters collaboration, sharing resources tailored to regional needs like rural isolation in northern Alberta.

Real-World Impacts and Success Stories

Early adopters report reduced stigma and higher engagement. At UCalgary, Recovery Champion Award recipients volunteer 10 hours per semester, leading events and outreach, building resilience. Testimonials highlight community: "UCRC meets people where they are," fostering purpose amid studies.

Statistics show promise: campuses with CRPs see improved retention for recovering students. Broader Alberta context: amid opioid challenges, these programs align with $1.1 billion Recovery Alberta budget.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Challenges

Ministers praise integration: McDougall stresses "safe, supportive learning environments." Students benefit from peer support, but challenges persist: underfunding elsewhere, stigma, and diverse needs (e.g., Indigenous students via EDID lens).

Solutions include training support teams and family resources. Experts advocate all-pathway approaches, avoiding one-size-fits-all.

Broader Context: Alberta's Recovery Model in Higher Ed

Alberta's model emphasizes recovery-oriented care, contrasting harm reduction debates. This investment fits $180M for intervention centers, extending to campuses. For students, it means accessible coaching without leaving campus.

Compare to national trends via higher-ed career advice on wellness roles.

Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Actionable Insights

The three-year plan targets culture shift: more spaces, research, and policies by 2029. Institutions can apply for grants, host events, or train allies.

• Students: Join peer groups, apply for scholarships.
• Faculty: Attend Recovery 101.
• Admins: Align policies with ROC.

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Career guidance at Higher-Ed Career Advice.