The government of Alberta is not renewing the contract for the province’s chief addiction and mental health officer, the Edmonton Journal reports. 
Dr. Michael Trew had been appointed to the position in June 2013 to provide psychological help for victims of severe floods that hit southern Alberta.
Trew used his role to also address suicide prevention and harm-reduction issues related to fentanyl, naloxone and methadone.
However, as most of Trew’s flood-related work is complete, the government decided not to renew his contract.
CMHA Alberta Division spoke highly of Trew’s efforts.
David Grauwiler, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association Alberta division, said the organization has valued Trew’s efforts to keep a spotlight on mental health and addiction in the province.
“We see the merit in the position and feel that it’s very important that mental health and addiction has a specific focal point within the health ministry,” David Grauwiler, executive director of the CMHA Alberta told the newspaper.
Grauwiler said he’s hopeful a mental health review panel initiated by the premier in June will maintain the position in some way.