1944
- Dr. T.A. Pincock, Director of Mental Health Programming for the Province of Manitoba, is instrumental in starting Alcoholics Anonymous in Manitoba.
- The Bracken Commission examines the Liquor Control Act of 1928, resulting in the drafting of The Alcoholism Foundation of Manitoba Act.
1951
- Mrs. Marty Mann, Executive Director of the National Committee on Alcoholism, meets with concerned Winnipeg citizens who want to do something to address alcoholism.
1952
- The Committee on Alcoholism for Manitoba is incorporated.
1956
- The Alcoholism Foundation of Manitoba Act is passed authorizing the provision of facilities and services for treatment of alcohol addiction, counselling, education, prevention and research.
- The Alcoholics Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) purchases 124 Nassau Street for offices and an information centre. It establishes Nassau House, a 15-bed male treatment unit, at 100 Nassau Street.
1966
- AFM establishes the first women’s in-house addiction facility in Canada, located at 588 River Avenue. River House is a 15-bed women’s in-house treatment facility.
1969
- Problem alcohol and drug services are established in Brandon, when Norm Matheson donated Matheson House and Sun Centre to the AFM.
1970
- AFM establishes alcohol and drug services in Thompson, operating out of two buildings, Cameron Lodge and Evergreen Place.
1971
- A new community-based space is opened and is named Christie House, after Keith Christie, a former AFM executive director and an individual instrumental in the establishment of River House.
1974
- The Banmen Report is released and AFM’s funding is increased to further address alcohol and drug issues from a public health perspective.
1975
- AFM expands services to various rural communities throughout Manitoba.
1980
- AFM purchases the C.N.I.B. complex at 1031/1041 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg. This purchase facilitates the consolidation of most of Winnipeg’s urban treatment and education services.
- The Impaired Driver Program is established to intervene with individuals charged with two or more impaired driving offenses.
- AFM’s Library is dedicated and named in memory of Reverend William Potoroka, Executive Director of Alcohol and Drug Education, for his 22 years of service in the field of alcohol and drug prevention and education.
1981
- AFM opens its fourth in-house and community-based service facility in Ste. Rose du Lac, Willard Monson House.
- Thompson programs move from two facilities to one – Polaris Place donated to AFM by INCO.
- Partnerships with Stony Mountain Penitentiary are established to provide contractual treatment services to inmates.
- AFM’s Youth Treatment Program opens. AFM is one of the first organizations in Canada to offer youth addictions services.
1989
- AFM initiates its school-based program, providing an AFM Youth Counsellor to four high schools (three in Winnipeg, one in Selkirk) to provide on-site counselling for students and information/awareness for students, staff and administrators.
1990
- Premier Gary Filmon, launches a “War on Drugs” with a four-point strategy focused on tougher enforcement, education, community-based consultation and improved treatment.
- “Alcohol, Other Drug and Substance Abuse in Manitoba, a strategy for the Nineties” is announced. Manitobans are invited to voice their opinions on addiction programming for Manitoba.
- A reduction in AFM’s funding results in a major organizational restructuring.
1991
- AFM establishes a Youth Addictions Prevention and Education Fund to support organizations and communities to develop and deliver alcohol and drug education projects targeting youth.
1992
- Matheson House and Sun centre in Brandon are sold and AFM opens a new 15-bed in-house facility in Brandon named Parkwood.
1993
- AFM expands its school-based program to 18 more rural and northern schools.
- The Government announces a problem gambling initiative to be administered by the AFM. The program includes a 24-hour/day helpline, as well as treatment, prevention, education and intervention programs.
- To more accurately reflect the services offered by the AFM, Bill 44 is enacted and the AFM’s name was changed from The Alcoholism Foundation of Manitoba to The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. AFM’s mandate is expanded to include problem gambling in addition to alcohol and drugs.
- AFM expands to more rural Manitoba communities.
- AFM purchases a building at 200 Osborne Street to consolidate its Youth Services, which were being offered from AFM’s original location at 124/100 Nassau Street.
1994
- AFM’s Impaired Driver Program is identified as a “trendsetter in Canada.” The Traffic Injury Research Foundation identified the Manitoba system for dealing with impaired driving as the prototype for the country.
1995
- AFM develops and implements a pilot program on “Reparenting.” Due to the success of the program, Health Canada provides a grant to develop a Reparenting Program on a national basis with AFM staff and representatives from across Canada.
1996
- AFM partners with the Saskatchewan Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission and the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, to host the first Canadian Conference on Pathological Gambling.
- AFM assumes responsibility for the Dual Disorder Program and the Methadone Maintenance Program, both of which were previously operated through the hospital systems.
1997
- AFM is recognized for its commitment to quality, continuous improvement and achievements by achieving the 1997 Manitoba Quality Awards, Silver Level.
1999
- AFM opens its first Youth In-House Treatment Facility (now called the Compass Program) in Southport, Manitoba. This 14-bed facility provides in-house treatment for youth ages 13-17.
2002
- AFM partners with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Manitoba Health in the Co-occurring Disorders Initiative (CODI). CODI was started to address the gap in services for clients dealing with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
- Responsible Gaming Information Centre, the first of its kind in North America was established at the McPhillips Street Station Casino in Winnipeg.
- AFM opens an in-house Gambling Program in Brandon.
2004
- AFM closes its 15-bed Primary Care Unit.
2005
- AFM is accredited for the first time by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) in the areas of Substance Abuse and Gambling.
- AFM’s opioid replacement therapy program expands to provide service in Brandon.
- AFM opens the Winnipeg Drug Treatment Court in partnership with Manitoba Justice, a new court for non-violent drug-addicted offenders.
2006
- AFM celebrates its 50th anniversary with celebrations throughout the province.
- AFM develops a day-program specifically designed for women, the Women Invested in Sobriety (WISER) women’s day program.
2007
- AFM starts a training program for staff at all lottery retail sites in Manitoba. This program assists retailers to be aware of responsible gambling practices and problem gambling resources.
2008
- AFM’s research function is transferred to Manitoba Health and Healthy Living. This provided AFM with an opportunity to reorganize resources to focus on treatment and public education programs.
2009
- AFM’s Polaris Place in Thompson is replaced by the newly built 18-bed Eaglewood facility.
2010
- For the first time in AFM’s history, a woman is appointed as Chair of the Board.
2011
- For the first time in AFM’s history, a woman is appointed as Chief Executive Officer.
2013
- AFM establishes the Knowledge Exchange Centre as a hub for information sharing on leading-edge, evidence-informed practices in addictions programming and research for the addictions field in Manitoba.
- AFM begins operating a provincial adult addictions information and resource phone line.
- AFM opens its first non-medical Withdrawal Management Program in Thompson to support individuals with substance use issues to ready themselves for entering addictions treatment and support.