Manitoba passes detox centre legislation, but doctors say involuntary detention not the answer

Some medical professionals say detaining highly intoxicated people for up to three days could put lives at risk if it's not accompanied by proper care.

On Wednesday, the Manitoba Legislature passed the NDP government's Bill 48, the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, which will allow it to establish a "protective care centre," or detox facility.

The legislation will allow highly intoxicated people to be detained there for up to 72 hours, up from the previous maximum of 24 hours. That change is needed to address the effects of potent drugs like methamphetamine, the province has said.

The plan has received support from Winnipeg's mayor, along with police and some doctors.

But Dr. Jim Simm, the province's former chief psychiatrist, said there's little precedent backing it up.

"There's been several studies looking at involuntary treatment for substance use. The results are generally actually worse," he said.

"I am skeptical [the centre] would have positive results, and [it has] the added risk of medical complications without proper medical supervision."

On Oct. 28, eight days before Bill 48 was passed, Simm said what's missing from the legislation is provisions for medical oversight. There's an added risk of medical complications if there isn't proper supervision, he said.

"The use of methamphetamine can trigger in some susceptible people an ongoing psychosis that could last sometimes even more than 72 hours," he said, adding that they're also at risk of having a seizure or cardiac arrest.

"I'd hate to see something terrible happen because things were rushed through without any real foresight," he said.

The detox site, which the province plans to open at 190 Disraeli Fwy., will be operated by Main Street Project.

Last week, Housing and Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith the province had been working to get medical supervision ahead of its originally planned opening of Nov. 1. That was held up after the Opposition Progressive Conservatives called for amendments to the legislation, and it wasn't passed prior to the Nov. 1 target.

In October, a group of high-ranking medical professionals wrote a letter in support of the province's plans, but also included a list of things that would be needed for proper implementation.

Dr. Jitender Sareen, the provincial specialty lead for mental health and addictions with Shared Health, said in the letter regular assessments are "critical" to ensure appropriate care.