B.C.’s forced drug treatment plan lacks ‘sincerity, credibility’: health expert

B.C. Premier David Eby’s plan to mandate treatment for substance use disorders is facing criticism from some health experts.

On Sunday, the NDP leader outlined his government’s proposed actions, if re-elected in October, which would involve involuntary intervention for individuals with long-term addiction and mental health issues.

“It’s hard to take this a sincere policy,” Dr. Julian Somers Distinguished Professor of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University said when considering the timing, with the provincial election just over a month away.

“It’s also hard to see it as being useful,” he told 1130 NewsRadio’s ‘Now You Know’ on Monday.

Dr. Somers emphasized that the government should prioritize perfecting voluntary treatment options before implementing a policy of involuntary care.

“The current situation in B.C. couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Expressing further doubts, Dr. Somers questioned the practicality of the policy within the current landscape of the province.

“It lacks a real sincerity and credibility,” he said. “There’s a responsibility to have places for people to go when they are released. That implies healthy homes, support to resume employment, keeping in mind most of the people were losing to drug poisonings are unemployed.”

Suggesting more “effective” and compassionate approaches for supporting individuals with drug abuse disorders, Dr. Somers says there is abundant evidence that shows providing adequate housing and support for workforce reintegration can significantly improve outcomes without resorting to involuntary treatment.

“There’s also evidence in Canada demonstrating that it costs about the same to provide effective forms of support as it does to support people while they’re homeless, and in out of the preverbal revolving door of jail, and hospital, and the streets.”

Dr. Somers also raised concerns about the legality of legislating such a policy under the Mental Health Act.

“People who are involuntarily treated would likely include individuals who strongly object and seek legal representation. This would highlight the government’s lack of progress in expanding voluntary support services,” he said.

“In the interim, we would be forced to accept that the government has the wisdom to determine who should be involuntarily treated and who should not.”

The provincial government has yet to provide detailed criteria for determining which individuals would be subjected to involuntary treatment. As of now, there is no specific information on how addiction levels will be assessed for admission to these programs.

1130 NewsRadio has reached out to the Public Safety and Solicitor General’s office and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions for further clarification.