Health minister wont intervene on forcing addictions treatment – National [Video]

Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel says there’s no evidence that forcing people into addictions treatment works — but she won’t weigh in on whether provinces should pursue involuntary treatment.

“I will tell you that I think every single Canadian has the right to get treated,” she said.

“I won’t tell you that to force them to be treated is a way to solve the problem. I don’t think for now we would have any kind of scientific evidence on this practice.”

Alberta has introduced sweeping legislation to allow family members, health care workers or police to apply to have someone ordered into treatment for addiction.

Under that legislation, people using substances who are thought to pose a risk to themselves or others could be forced into a secure treatment facility for up to three months.

In British Columbia, where the opioid crisis has been particularly deadly, the provincial government recently opened a …