REGINA – The opposition NDP is looking to introduce a host of amendments to Bill 48 – The Compassionate Intervention Act, that is currently before the Legislative Assembly.
This is the bill that would provide for involuntary drug treatment for individuals with severe addictions in the province. At a news conference at the Legislature Monday, NDP critics Nicole Sarauer and Betty Nippi-Albright called for an overhaul of the bill, saying it would not do enough to address the addictions situation in the province.
“We are in the middle of an unprecedented drug crisis, it’s playing out on every street and in every community in our province,” said Sarauer. “Nearly a person per day died of an overdose last year. And the overdose calls this year have completely swamped frontline responders.”
She said that in the first 21 days this month, responders reported 140 overdose calls in Regina. In Saskatoon it was 301 calls over the first 19 days.
Sarauer said the Compassionate Intervention Act wouldn’t solve these issues.
“Bill 48 is being presented as a solution, but as it stands, it's flawed and it's incomplete,” said Sarauer.
“That's why we intend to bring forward a series of amendments developed with frontline healthcare workers, support agencies and advocates working directly in this crisis. There is no evidence we have enough treatment spaces right now, even for people actively seeking help, let alone those who may be forced into treatment. You cannot legislate your way out of a crisis without capacity, supports and respect for patients.”
Nippi-Albright questioned whether the Compassionate Intervention Act would make a difference in addressing the drug situation.
“Scott Moe wants people to believe that Bill 48 will put a stop to the drug crisis. It won't. What will make a difference is real investment in treatment, real support for frontline workers and real accountability in the system,” she said.
“That's why we intend to introduce multiple amendments to address our concerns with this legislation. People seeking treatment voluntarily should never be pushed aside and clear voluntary pathways need to exist.”
Nippi-Albright pointed to the need to make sure that there is a high burden of proof for treatment orders and that everyone has access to legal counsel. She added that the bill doesn't provide for report requirements or facility inspections, and doesn’t ensure access to Indigenous supports or Indigenous representation on panels for Indigenous patients. She also said there were not enough connections in the legislation between the current health care system and the health laws. She called these not "minor tweaks," but "essential fixes."
The larger issue, said Nippi-Albright to reporters, is “we don't have treatment spaces today for people.”
“And what good is involuntary treatment if we don't have voluntary beds today?”
As for the province’s plans to build treatment centres for the involuntary option, Sarauer voiced skepticism.
“I'd say the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour. And this is a government that loves to make announcements, but often falls short when it comes to delivery,” said Sarauer.
She pointed to wait lists of six weeks right now in some instances for voluntary treatment, and that people who need treatment need it right away. Sarauer also pointed to concerns about the capacity the province has right now for voluntary treatment. “We want to make sure that no voluntary patient gets bumped for an involuntary patient.”
The NDP MLAs were not able to provide more exact details of what they plan to propose for amendments. Right now the bill is in the second reading stage and the intention is for Nippi-Albright to move those amendments at the committee stage once it gets there.
Whether those amendments will go anywhere is another question. Sarauer acknowledged the government’s tendency to reject NDP amendments.
“Well, any amendments that the Opposition has put forward, and you've all seen it, is they don't adopt our amendments. That's a pattern with this government, is they don't seem to listen, and won't take our recommendations for amendments.”
Sarauer said that Nippi-Albright had “worked really hard” to get feedback from the community on this bill, speaking to those who worked within the system, as well as survivors and families.
“These amendments flow out of those conversations. So we do hope that the government takes them seriously.”
Nippi-Albright said if the government doesn’t support her amendments that it will send a “message to everyone that regardless of what common sense amendments that are being presented, the government will not listen, because it's been their way for 20 years. They've created this mess, and they will just continue doing what they're doing without listening to reason, without listening to the citizens in this province, and without really taking into consideration what is, what's being well thought out, well consulted.”
