Premier Danielle Smith and Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams announce introduction of compassionate intervention legislation.--Photo courtesy the Government of Alberta
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The provincial government has tabled legislation that would allow for a treatment order to be requested on the behalf of those facing severe addiction issues.
The legislation was introduced Tuesday, a continuation in the spirit of the Alberta Recovery Model, which “focuses on services and investments to lead people down a path of healing,” says the province.
“For those suffering from addiction there are two paths – they can let their addiction destroy and take their life, or they can enter recovery,” said Premier Danielle Smith. “There is no compassion in leaving people to suffer in the throes of addiction, and in Alberta we choose recovery.”
If passed, the act would allow for parents, family members, guardians, health-care professionals and police or peace officers to request a treatment order or care plan for those who, because of their severe addiction, are more likely to cause harm to themselves or others.
Compassionate intervention would be considered a last resort, the province says, for those unable or unwilling to pursue recovery on their own, or when other approaches have proven unsuccessful.
“We cannot – and will not – stand by and let addiction destroy our families and communities,” said Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. “The Compassionate Intervention Act will provide life-saving support, ensuring families are no longer forced to watch their loved ones suffer from the deadly disease of addiction and endure the pain it brings.”
Compassionate intervention would replace the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act should it pass, and allow for longer-term treatment, an easier application process and increased family involvement.
This strategy is the first of its kind within Canada, though other provinces have similar mandatory care legislation for those with severe mental health issues that have resulted in potential danger to themselves or others, Alberta included. The Compassionate Care Act would allow for similar treatment orders to be issued for both adults and youth who fit the criteria due to substance use.
The eligibility criteria for youth are comparable to PChAD, though it would allow for longer-term treatment and higher family involvement, says the province.
“With evidence-based programming and support, the compassionate intervention program will be a world leader in addressing some of the most complex cases of addiction,” said Kerry Bales, CEO of Recovery Alberta. “Recovery Alberta is well-positioned to deliver this with incredible staff and clinicians, and we look forward to supporting more people in their journey to reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction.”
To build capacity for this programming, Budget 2025 provides $180 million over three years to build two 150-bed “compassionate intervention centres” in Edmonton and Calgary, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and plans for temporary spaces to be available within existing facilities next year.
Likewise, plans are in place to transition protective safe houses used for PChAD into spaces for compassionate intervention.
“Every patient who leaves the compassionate intervention system will leave with a discharge plan for ongoing supports and services,” says the province. “This may include continuing treatment in a recovery community or another community bed-based program, day programming, psychiatric care and/or ongoing work with a recovery coach. It may also include help finding housing, employment, skills training and more.”
The announcement was met with criticism by Janet Eremenko, Alberta New Democrat Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions, who says the policy is the result of insufficient investment in prevention or early intervention work.
“This model will do nothing to stop homelessness, nor will it stop Albertans from starting to use drugs,” said Eremenko. “The introduction of the UCP’s forced treatment legislation today is the culmination of their failed drug policy. It will do nothing to address the public safety issues that our communities are facing. There’s no evidence that forced treatment works, and Albertans are desperate for real solutions.”
