All options are on the table - but not involuntary care →
In a media briefing on community policing in St. Albert on April 18, 2023, you were asked if people who use drugs should be forced into treatment and you replied, "All options are on the table”. Furthermore, an article in the Globe and Mail from April 18 suggests potential legislation on involuntary care, called the “Compassionate Intervention Act”.
We understand that having a loved one who is using substances can make parents and others feel desperate and grasp at any straw. We have been there, but our experience, supported by the available evidence, has taught us that the answer is prevention, treatment and harm reduction and not involuntary care.
In a letter to Minister Ellis, we outline what we have learned and why we are firmly opposed to all forms of involuntary care.
We oppose involuntary care because it is a violation of individual rights.
We opposed involuntary care because to some it will become a death sentence.
We oppose involuntary care because those of us who have tried this approach experienced deeply traumatizing outcomes.
We oppose involuntary care because people who seek voluntary care already face long wait times.
We oppose involuntary care because it is reminiscent of colonial practices that have killed, harmed and traumatized indigenous people and other racialized and equity-deserving populations.
We oppose involuntary care because the research tells us it does not work and that it is harmful.
We call for the halt to any further provisions on involuntary care and ask for immediate actions*:
Invest in robust access to a range of voluntary treatment options, evidence-based and accountable.
Repeal legislation that governs the Narcotic Transition Service and make regulated alternatives to toxic street drugs widely available to people in need of this option.
Eliminate police involvement under the Alberta Mental Health Act and create civilian crisis-response teams.
Prevent the expansion of legislation that broadens apprehension criteria to include overdose.
Eliminate any form of involuntary and/or coercive treatment.
Repeal all legislation and regulations that are used to disproportionately target Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities.
Repeal all legislation and regulations that are used to target people who use drugs and disabled people. There is already existing legislation that permits forced treatment against these groups. It is violent and unjust and must be eliminated.
We call for urgent action based on these recommendations to save the lives of our loved ones. The alternative means too many families will mourn too many people gone too soon.
* (adapted from Involuntary Treatment: Criminalization by another name by Pivot Legal Society, 2023)