The IMPACT coalition goes back to the late 1990’s and early 2000’s (when we were called WASAC – Wainwright and Area Social Action Committee) in response to the harm brought on by crystal methamphetamine in our province. The group applied for funding for health promotion and substance use prevention under the Safe Communities umbrella which was championed by Colleen Klein. WASAC was one of the 75 coalitions across the province that developed and delivered community initiatives and programs to address the growing issues surrounding substance use. We brought expert speakers, funding from the Health Canada Drug Strategy Community Health Initiatives Fund to deliver a regional Development Assets project in partnership with the Vermilion coalition, funded and support to the Walking Through Grief Society, who continue to provide support to our communities, to provide services and support groups for those struggling with grief and loss to the Wainwright area. Also jointly held a youth conference which sparked interest and involvement by youth in the community. WASAC was instrumental in community wellness initiatives.

The group took a break for a few years and returned to the table in the fall of 2017 as the need to come back to the table was evident. We talked about overall wellness including addiction prevention and mental health promotion. The opioid crisis was being with overdose deaths being reported across Canada and as we know an epidemic had begun. As we came back together the legalization of cannabis was in the planning stages and citizens were wondering how this was going to work. Property crime was on the rise in many parts of Alberta and Wainwright was not exception. There were many other concerns shared around that table and it was clear it was time to return. The goal was to involve as many services, agencies and people to start to address these issues in a collaborative way and return to providing positive initiatives to our community. As we continued to meet and focus on overall wellness, which influence addiction prevention and mental health promotion, we decided it was time for an update. IMPACT was born which stands for “Information Mentorship Prevention Action Community Team”. We are here for everyone in the community to help support overall health and wellness. Anyone is welcome to the table and we want to hear from anyone in the community in regards to community needs, priorities, gaps and how we can work together to bring awareness, understanding and wellness to the community. There are power in numbers, and when we get together we can do great things!!