Canada Global(Web News)Alberta has introduced a new bill that would open the door to compulsory treatment for those who suffer from severe addiction.
The United Conservative Party (UCP) introduced Bill 53 on Tuesday, which aims to keep communities safe while ensuring the most vulnerable can access the support they need to recover. The
Compassionate Intervention Act would create a way for parents, guardians, healthcare professionals and police to request treatment orders for people who are at risk of harming themselves or others.
Currently, only minors can be forced into treatment. But the bill would make it possible for adults as well. Premier Daniel Smith says it is not clear-cut legislation.
It is not legislation that applies to everyone dealing with addiction or substance abuse. Smith said it is only for the most serious cases where all other options have failed.
Smith says people of sound mind will still have the right to choose their own medical intervention, but people who are harmful to themselves or others will not.
He said that a person who overdoses 186 times a year is not of sound mind. “We believe that we as a community should not see people slowly killing themselves on the street.
This bill would allow people to be housed in secure facilities for three months and in community care centres for six months.
In February, Alberta announced it would spend $180 million to build two, 150-bed drug addiction treatment centres to support the expected influx of patients – one in Edmonton and one in Calgary. It will also open a new youth rehabilitation centre in Alberta’s capital next year.
“The increased capacity to treat youth will be a lifeline for many families like mine,” said Janelle Watson, whose son is recovering from addiction.
According to the province, patients will have access to a variety of mental health and addiction support, as well as intake assessments, medically assisted detox, counselling, and individual and group therapy.
If the bill passes, Alberta would be the first province in Canada to do so. Which would allow for forced treatment. But the government says Portugal, Massachusetts and Washington state have similar laws that are showing positive results.