Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says his government has been discussing possible policy around involuntary care for those with substance addictions.
Moe made the comments during an unrelated news conference in North Battleford on July 9.
“We’ve seen the conversation move forward in Alberta with respect to compassionate care. British Colombia is having a discussion about it. I think very much in this province, we’ve been having much of that discussion in the weeks and months gone by,” Moe said in response to a reporter’s question on substance abuse treatments.
The premier said that there were situations when individuals “simply aren’t in a state” to make health decisions, like treatment.
“At times, there are judges that will actually move into that space,” Moe said.
Moe added that many provinces across Canada were looking at policy initiatives over involuntary care, and that Saskatchewan was “having to look at here” with the “best interest of individuals in mind.”
“When you talk to families and individuals that have been impacted by the poisonous drugs and addictions that they bring to individuals. There is a place for the discussion, probably a place for this policy moving forward.”
In April, Alberta introduced legislation that would allow relatives, guardians, health-care professionals, or police officers to request addiction treatment orders for those who are likely to cause harm to themselves or others because of their substance use. Called the Compassionate Intervention Act, it was the first of its kind in Canada.
B.C. has also opened up some involuntary treatment centres in the province. Under the provincial mental health act, involuntary treatment is permitted.
It also said that it is working on plans for more than 400 mental health care beds and hospitals around the province; these facilities can also provide involuntary care under the provincial act.
