A convention about addiction and mental health has been well-received.

That’s according to the organizers, who were very enthusiastic about how well the event went.

Empower 2 Recover took place at Seven Generations this past Friday.

Former Calgary Flame winger Theo Fleury was one of the key note speakers and believes there is one key reason behind addiction.

“Trauma is at the core of every single issue in society,” states Fleury.

“We’ve done such a poor job in society talking about trauma.  We’re very aware that we have a mental health epidemic.  We’re very aware we have an addiction issue, but we always leave out the catalyst which brings us into those two spaces…and that’s childhood trauma.”

Fleury says unfortunately addiction to drugs now can be fatal.

“The drugs out there now aren’t the same drugs we were doing.  You know, one huff…one puff, whatever it is…and you’re dead now.  Those are the kind of drugs out there and so it’s about bringing awareness.  But it’s also about sharing lived experiences of people who’ve had success.”

Organizer Jay Barnard says they will be back again next year in Kenora and plan to do similar events in Alberta this fall.