CANADALAND7 Loka 2025

BC is Forcing Drug Users into Rehab. Can it Work?

British Columbia is rolling back safe supply and decriminalization, and moving toward something very different: forcibly detaining and treating people with severe addictions. Alberta is already doing it. Ontario is considering it. Canada is entering a new era of drug policy, one called involuntary care.

Host Noor Azrieh sits down with legislative reporter Mark Page to unpack what’s happening in B.C., and then goes international to speak with Professor Alison Ritter about what Australia’s experience with involuntary care can teach us.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Mark Page, Alison Ritter

Background reading:

The Fight Over Forced Rehab – Macleans
Mixed reaction to B.C. premier's announcement of new involuntary care facilities – CBC News
One third of B.C.’s ‘publicly funded substance-use treatment beds’ don’t provide any treatment – The Investigative Journalism Foundation
Involuntary treatment for severe addiction is better than doing nothing – The Globe and Mail

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