Critics slam B.C. premier's involuntary care announcement, cite lack of evidence
The B.C. premier’s announcement to introduce involuntary care for people with serious addiction and mental health issues is being met with pushback from critics who say the decision isn’t evidence-based and will cause more harm.
Dr. Kora DeBeck, a professor at the school of public policy at Simon Fraser University, said there is no evidence this approach works.
“Forced treatment doesn’t have the promise we hope that it does, and it sets us up for so much risk,” she said.
DeBeck said some of those risks include further eroding connections and trusting relationships in the health-care system, as well as increasing the risk of overdose.
“Addiction treatment is not a linear journey,” she said. “People often relapse and end up using drugs again. When they have these periods of not using drugs they’re much more likely to overdose and so when people are being forced into either stabilization or addiction treatment, when they get out, they’re at a very high risk of death.”
Designated units
At a news conference Sunday, David Eby said the decision was in response to the current system “struggling” to respond to people with three overlapping issues: mental illness, brain injuries and addiction to synthetic opioids or stimulants.
According to the premier, the province will create facilities where people can be held after being apprehended and detained under the Mental Health Act. Instead of releasing a person into the community, Eby said there will now be the option of moving them into one of these facilities without their consent. One of the first designated units is set to open on the grounds of the Allouette Correctional Centre.
DeBeck said the province’s new direction is missing the mark when it comes to addiction treatment, particularly in the midst of a toxic drug crisis.
“Addiction treatment, whether it’s voluntary or involuntary, is not addressing the toxic supply of drugs and that is what we know is killing people,” she said.
‘Very problematic’
Mercedes Eng, a writer who teaches at Emily Carr University, called the premier’s announcement maddening. As a person who accessed substance use treatment on her own terms, she said she doesn't understand how this policy will unfold.
“I feel confused as to how that’s going to work and why we haven’t been able to address the needs of folks who want care,” Eng said.
Eng added the program she accessed in the 90s taught her about relapse prevention strategies and the underlying issues of addiction.
“That program and being able to access methadone were pivotal for me in recovery, as was secure housing, so something like a forced detox would not work for me,” Eng said. “Yes, there are times, absolutely where interventions are required and where supervision is required but the mandatory care they’re talking about – I don’t think is going to work and is very problematic in terms of civil liberties.”
Civil liberties
Safiyya Ahmad, staff counsel with the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, said the organization was concerned about the announcement.
“We’ve spoken out in the past about the idea of the use of involuntary treatment particularly for people who use drugs,” she said. “We think it’s infringing on people’s rights in a way that’s not acceptable and that could possibly cause a lot of harm to people as well.”
Ahmad said individuals’ charter rights could be affected by this legislation. In particular, Section 7, which is the right to life, liberty and security in person.
“There’s evidence to show involuntary treatment is quite harmful to people,” she said. “There is simultaneously evidence to show that things like harm reduction services are beneficial for people to use drugs and yet we’re seeing harm reduction services shut down and taken away steadily.”
The premier did not provide a specific timeline for when the facilities will open, but said the plan is to move forward quickly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Hurricane Milton is forecast to become a Category 5 and is taking aim for Florida
Milton rapidly strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday and was forecast to become a Category 5 storm on a path toward Florida, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.
Canadian scurvy case prompts advisory to doctors: It's still out there
Scurvy is not just an archaic diagnosis of 18th-century seafarers and doctors should be on the lookout for possible cases, according to researchers following a recent case.
Lawyers for Madeleine McCann suspect seek acquittal in his German trial on unrelated sexual offence charges
Lawyers for a man who is also under investigation in the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann called on Monday for him to be acquitted in his trial on charges of unrelated sexual offences.
Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, dead at 63
Christopher Ciccone, a multihyphenate artist, dancer, designer and younger brother of Madonna, has died. He was 63.
Alleged suicide kit salesman files in Supreme Court to contest whether assisted suicide can ever be murder
Lawyers representing the Ontario man accused of selling hundreds of suicide kits with deadly effect around the globe have filed to intervene in a case in Canada’s highest court, arguing there is no way he can be charged with murder under Canadian law.
Canadian leaders, demonstrators hold events on anniversary of Oct. 7 attack
Ceremonies, events and protests are being held across Canada today to mark the anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
Rare cloud formations ripple the sky over Ottawa
A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.
Man arrested after stealing Vancouver police cruiser, driving it into neighbourhood park
A man stole a police car and drove it onto the field of an East Vancouver park Sunday morning, placing 'dozens of bystanders in harm’s way,' according to police.
War rages on multiple fronts as Israel marks a year since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack
Israelis held sombre ceremonies on Monday to mark a year since the deadliest attack in the country's history, a Hamas-led raid that shattered its sense of security and ignited wars on two fronts with no end in sight.