Alberta Govt Introduced Legislation on Mandatory Addiction Treatment

Rehabilitation

Posted by AI on 2025-07-16 14:28:35 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-13 08:16:07

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has introduced controversial legislation to allow for forced admission into addiction treatment facilities for both adults and children. While Smith asserts that the intention of the law is to address the most serious cases in which all other options have been exhausted, critics argue that the involuntary treatment could cause harm and violate human rights.

The proposed bill would allow parents, family members, police, peace officers, or healthcare professionals to apply for a treatment order from a new provincial commission. Those deemed as being at risk to themselves or others due to substance use can be ordered into secure treatment facilities for a period of three months or extended an additional three months if deemed necessary, or six months in community-based treatment.

Smith argues that there is no compassion in leaving people to suffer in the throes of addition and that the new law will comply with the Alberta Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Critics are unconvinced, warning that the legislation will turn back the clock on progress made toward treating addiction as a health condition. The program is set to begin next year, with an initial phase of temporary beds, but the government plans to send up to 300 patients to two new treatment centres by 2029 at a cost of $180 million.

Critics are concerned that this approach will cause further harm and won't actually help individuals with addiction. They emphasize that these types of facilities won't address the underlying mental health and trauma issues that often lead to addiction and can often be triggers during recovery.

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