Compassionate Care Intervention: A Risk for Indigenous People

Here we go again...

The United Conservative Party (UCP) government of Alberta has introduced the "Compassionate Care" legislation, mandating involuntary addiction treatment. This initiative reallocates 100 existing voluntary treatment beds to mandatory ones, with plans to expand to approximately 1,000 mandatory treatment beds by 2029. While the government asserts that this approach addresses the escalating addiction crisis, it raises significant concerns regarding its efficacy and potential implications for Indigenous people. In my opinion, this policy may perpetuate institutionalized racism and contribute to Indigenous genocide.

Inefficacy of Involuntary Treatment

The effectiveness of involuntary addiction treatment is a topic of ongoing debate. Some studies suggest that coerced treatment can lead to outcomes comparable to voluntary treatment. Other studies indicate that without the individual's genuine commitment, long-term success rates diminish. It is also with noting that involuntary treatment may erode trust in healthcare systems, deterring individuals from seeking help for addiction voluntarily in the future, such as when treatment commences. 

Heightened Risk of Overdose After Treatment

One of the primary risks associated with involuntary addiction treatment is the increased likelihood of overdose upon release. During treatment, individuals often experience reduced tolerance to substances. If they relapse post-treatment, which the research suggests may happen, they may consume amounts similar to their previous usage. This amount, though tolerable before, could be lethal. 

Risk of Disproportionally Impacting Indigenous People

Indigenous people in Alberta are disproportionately represented in various institutional systems, raising concerns about the potential impacts of the Compassionate Care legislation:

• Homelessness: Indigenous individuals constitute approximately 6% of Alberta's population but represent 35% of the homeless population.

• Child Welfare System: Over 80% of children in foster care in Alberta are Indigenous, reflecting systemic biases and historical injustices.

• Incarceration: Indigenous peoples are vastly overrepresented in the criminal justice system, accounting for a significant proportion of incarcerated individuals relative to their population size.

• Addiction Treatment Facilities: National trends indicate that Indigenous individuals are more likely to be admitted to addiction treatment programs, often due to systemic factors and socio-economic disparities.

  
  

The overrepresentation of Indigenous individuals in these systems suggests that mandatory addiction treatment policies may disproportionately target them, exacerbating existing inequities. Subjecting Indigenous peoples to involuntary programs with known risks, such as increased overdose potential, suggests a deliberate disregard for the well-being of Indigenous people by the UCP government. 

Troubling Historical Context of Government Interventions

Numerous policies have come into play in Canada that have taken away Indigenous people’s agency regarding their health and wellness, including: 

• Residential Schools: From the 1880s to the 1990s, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families to attend residential schools, leading to cultural assimilation and widespread abuse. A disproportionate number if indigenous child graves have been found outside these institutions.

• Sixties Scoop: Between the 1960s and 1980s, thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed into non-Indigenous homes, resulting in loss of cultural identity and long-term trauma. 

• “Indian” Hospitals: In the 1920s to 1970, there were segregated hospitals for Indigenous people, where they were neglected and received inadequate medical care. Though these hospitals are now closed, similar inequities still exist within our current healthcare system. 

To implement the Compassionate Care Act after all these mistakes is ignorant and harmful to indigenous people. 

Indigenous People are at Risk of Harm by the Government AGAIN

The UCP's Compassionate Care legislation, under the guise of addressing addiction, threatens to perpetuate systemic racism and inflict further harm on Indigenous people. The government risks repeating past atrocities by imposing involuntary treatment measures without adequately considering their efficacy, associated risks, and historical context. It is imperative to adopt voluntary approaches that respect Indigenous sovereignty to foster genuine healing and reconciliation.

Can we, as a province, band together and help stand up for our indigenous friends?

References

Alberta Health Services. (2022). Indigenous health. Alberta Health Services. Retrieved from https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page11949.aspx

Bahji, A., Cheng, B., Gray, S., & Stuart, H. (2023). Effectiveness of involuntary treatment for individuals with substance use disorders: A systematic review. The Canadian Journal of Addiction, 14(2), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1097/CXA.0000000000000188

Government of Canada. (2020). Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justice system. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2023001/article/00004-eng.htm

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Retrieved from https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2015/trc/IR4-7-2015-eng.pdf

United Conservative Party. (n.d.). Compassionate Intervention. United Conservative Party. Retrieved March 6, 2025, from https://www.unitedconservative.ca/annoucement/compassionate-intervention/

Werb, D., Kamarulzaman, A., Meacham, M. C., Rafful, C., Fischer, B., Strathdee, S. A., & Wood, E. (2016). The effectiveness of compulsory drug treatment: A systematic review. International Journal of Drug Policy, 28, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.12.005