British Columbia will be opening secure facilities to provide involuntary care under the Mental Health Act for those with severe addictions who are mentally ill, the province’s premier announced Sunday, just days ahead of the start of a provincial election campaign.
David Eby pledged the NDP would change the law in the next legislative session to “provide clarity and ensure that people, including youth, can and should receive care when they are unable to seek it themselves.”
The announcement is generating a lot of reaction.
Kier MacDonald of the non-profit Coast Mental Health said that he welcomes more compassionate care for people with complex mental health and addiction challenges, but that he is disappointed there were no measures announced to support people before they reach a crisis point.
“Treating mental health only in crisis situations is like waiting for someone to have a heart attack rather than prescribing blood pressure medication,” he told Global News.
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“You know, being reactive instead of proactive — it’s not …