Federal Conservative leader proposes letting judges order drug treatment for addiction – National [Video]

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Saturday, he would change the law to allow judges to order drug treatment for those struggling with addiction.

Poilievre was in Richmond, B.C. where he expanded on his plans to tackle addiction in Canada.

His latest idea would give judges the option to order mandatory drug treatment as a substitute for incarceration.

The proposal would apply to offenders whose only crimes are connected to possessing small quantities of drugs and other non-violent infractions.

Poilievre would also require rehabilitation programs in prisons for more serious offenders.

Poilievre said these proposals are appropriate in cases where those struggling with serious addiction have lost the capacity to seek recovery on their own.

“This policy is not about punishment, it’s about redemption,” he said.

“When someone is too sick to choose help, we won’t leave them without hope. We’ll help them take back control of their lives.”

He repeated pledges to shut down …