Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has been designated a recovery-friendly campus, joining a growing number of Alberta post-secondary institutions committed to supporting students and staff in recovery from substance use and addictive behaviours.
The announcement came during a ceremony on RDP’s main campus on April 9, where the school signed the Recovery Friendly Campus pledge — part of a provincewide initiative led by Recovery on Campus Alberta.
The program offers resources, training and education aimed at building supportive, stigma-free environments in post-secondary institutions.
“We are pleased to pledge our support of Alberta’s Recovery on Campus initiative,” said Lindsay Engel, Vice-President, academic and student experience at RDP. “This initiative strengthens our ability to support our diverse community as they pursue academic and personal success.”
As part of the pledge, RDP received a seed grant through a three-year, $3-million investment from the provincial government, aimed at funding recovery-friendly initiatives at institutions across Alberta.
“The Recovery Friendly Campus pledge is more than a symbolic gesture — it’s a tangible commitment to change,” said Dr. Victoria Burns, founder and director of Recovery on Campus Alberta. “We are building academic environments where recovery is recognized as a strength, and individuals feel seen, supported and empowered.”
Recovery on Campus Alberta, based at the University of Calgary, launched in 2024 and is working to build a network of institutions across the province focused on recovery-friendly approaches.
More information about the program is available at recoveryoncampusalberta.ca.
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