The Manitoba government has passed legislation that would address the growing meth crisis across the province, giving police and health-care professionals more options to offer treatment immediately to people intoxicated by drugs in a safe space that protects the public.
“Our government is making sure people suffering from addiction who are a danger to themselves and others are stabilized and provided with access to appropriate care and treatment options without criminalizing them,” said Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith. “Despite the opposition’s attempts to stall and block this important legislation, we are going to make our streets safer through this new, updated legislation that reflects the reality of our streets.”
Bill 48, the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, adds a definition of intoxication to include drugs and allows for the detention of intoxicated people for up to 72 hours, to ensure they are protected for the length of a meth psychosis under the direction of health-care professionals. The purpose of detention would be to prevent people from harming themselves or others and to allow for followup care once psychosis has diminished.
This legislation would benefit individuals under the influence of methamphetamine, as they take longer to recover from intoxication and stabilize, the minister noted, adding that once individuals are taken to a protective care facility have recovered from acute intoxication, they will have access to addictions supports and services.
