Jordan B. Peterson: Extensive Commonsense
Addiction Recovery in Alberta Canada
Alberta vs Ottawa: A New Vision of Health | Minister Dan Williams
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with Canada’s Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Dan Williams.
They discuss how Canada became the epicenter of the world’s opioid crisis, the federal approach that only enables further addiction, the demoralization of Canadians as the country’s future continues to destabilize, and the efforts needed to right the ship — before it is too late.
Dan Williams was sworn in as the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction on June 9, 2023.
He was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Peace River on April 16, 2019, and was reelected on May 29, 2023.
Minister Williams has been tasked with implementing Alberta’s mental health and addiction strategy, known as the Alberta Recovery Model.
This policy model focuses on the fact that recovery is possible, no matter what addiction or mental health challenge someone may face.
Under his leadership, Alberta is building 11 recovery communities across the province, a record-breaking expansion to long-term addiction treatment.
He has connected with communities, First Nations, and families dealing with the addiction crisis.
Alberta has now established a new mental health and addiction agency, Recovery Alberta, which is funded and overseen by the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.
The province, under Minister Williams, is also investing in mental health services, especially for children and youth.
Partnerships with service providers are expanding services across the entire province and connecting families with the mental health support they need.
This episode was filmed on October 31st, 2024.
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(3:20) An overview of the provincial Canadian structure
(7:11) The rise of populism and grassroots movements
(12:54) Campaign restrictions on finances and duration
(14:40) The provinces vs. the federal government, equalization (
19:21) Why does Alberta put up with transfer payments? Treated as second class citizens
(20:34) Alberta and Newfoundland: unity through oil and natural gas
(23:55) Alberta has the third largest fossil fuel reserves in the world, Trudeau’s most contentious appointee
(29:20) Premier Danielle Smith: modifying the Albertan Bill of Rights to forbid vaccine mandates
(35:47) Reducing the power of the regulatory boards, mandated affirmation from licensed professionals
(40:24) “The institutions have fundamentally failed at their roles,” the influx of oxycodone and lost trust
(48:03) The Alberta Recovery Model – an economically viable solution for homelessness and drug abuse
(51:42) The co-occurrence of alcoholism and drug addiction
(53:53) How one crisis became two: oxycodone over-prescription caused the opioid epidemic in North America
(1:01:20) Religious transformation and breaking the addiction cycle
(1:06:27) The policy response exempted criminal drug abuse, focusing on a “safe drug supply” only made the problem worse
(1:17:44) Addiction anthropology: addressing the heart of the problem
(1:22:44) The first practical steps in detoxifying Canada
(1:25:13) Recovery capital, dismantling the lawless gang-run drug encampments
1:34 San Patrignano in Italy – the original therapeutic long-term stay community
(1:35:04) Addressing Conservative skepticism and balancing government-run intervention
1:38 Compassion, Francis George, an American clergyman: Our society is one that permits, allows and encourages everything but forgives nothing . . . . no consequences for actions . . . . gang encampments are threats to civil order
1:40 New legislation in Alberta spring 2025, Compassionate Intervention: If someone is a danger to themselves or others due to their substance use or addiction ,within a reasonable amount of time are going to cause harm to themselves or others, then it is societies responsibility to intervene because the alternative to that intervention is tragedy, is death . . .
(1:43:50) We need credible longitudinal data to disprove the corrupt institutions
1:47 In Alberta, 42-50% decrease in opioid decreases in the last month . . . the culture of recovery is working . . . truly care . . .
