Ontario considers mandated addiction treatment for individuals incarcerated, on parole, or under probation.
Ontario is taking a closer look at involuntary addiction treatment for people entangled in the justice system. The province is expected to announce this new initiative today as part of a broader set of criminal justice reforms outlined in an upcoming bill.
Sources with knowledge of the affair, who requested anonymity, say Ontario is planning to compel treatment for individuals with addictions serving time in jail, under probation, or on parole. The government will delve into the logistics, costs, and necessary federal cooperation to enact these measures, drawing lessons from other jurisdictions. By autumn, the plan and possible approaches are expected to be presented to cabinet.
Ontario appears to be leaning more toward the British Columbia model, which focuses on involuntary addiction treatment for individuals with concurrent mental health issues. In contrast, Alberta tends to favor a more far-reaching approach, as evident in their recently tabled legislation enabling a broader range of people to apply for involuntary treatment, including parents, family members, healthcare professionals, police, and peace officers.
Under Alberta’s bill, individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others could be apprehended by law enforcement and ordered into treatment in a secure facility for up to three months, with an option for six more months in community-based care. In British Columbia, a 10-unit facility for involuntary addiction treatment of incarcerated individuals was established in Surrey Pretrial Center, with a second facility in the works.
In 2023, over 2,600 people lost their lives to opioids in Ontario, showing a 50% increase compared to 2019. As of February 2024, approximately 48% of inmates had substance use alerts on their profiles. Almost 28% of inmates voluntarily participated in prescribed opioid agonist therapy, according to the sources.
A group of mayors has pressured the province to implement involuntary treatment as a solution to homeless encampments in municipal parks. The province has changed its approach to addiction and homelessness, shutting down nine supervised consumption sites. Instead, abstinence-based homeless hubs and expanded treatment beds are being prioritized.
Advocates remain skeptical of forced treatment, arguing that its effectiveness is negligible and that professional help is far more successful when individuals are ready and willing to seek treatment. Involuntary treatment has long been a subject of debate, impacting the wider discourse on healthcare access in corrections. This development comes as Canadian prisons face accusations of systemic neglect and inadequate attention to inmate health needs.
- The government of Ontario is planning to compel addiction treatment for individuals in the justice system, as part of an upcoming criminal justice reform bill.
- This new initiative in Ontario aims to address the rising opioid deaths, with over 2,600 lives lost in 2023, representing a 50% increase compared to 2019.
- According to sources, approximately 48% of inmates have substance use alerts on their profiles, and about 28% voluntarily participate in opioid agonist therapy.
- Ontario seems to be leaning towards the British Columbia model, focusing on involuntary addiction treatment for individuals with concurrent mental health issues.
- In contrast, Alberta's approach is more comprehensive, allowing a broader range of people to apply for involuntary treatment, including law enforcement.
- News about this development has sparked debates in the media and politics, with advocates expressing skepticism over the effectiveness of forced treatment.
- The Ontario community, including a group of mayors, has pressured the government to implement involuntary treatment as a solution to homeless encampments in municipal parks.
- As the government moves forward with this plan, the costs, logistics, and necessary federal cooperation will be considered, drawing lessons from other jurisdictions like British Columbia and Alberta.
- The science and health-and-wellness sectors, including mental health and nutrition, are crucial considerations in the development and implementation of this policy, especially when addressing the complex issue of addiction in the context of the justice system.
