Critics speak out against Alberta’s proposed involuntary care act for people with drug addictions

Brandon Shaw was 15 years old when he was apprehended by police and taken to a secure holding facility to detox in Edmonton from opioids against his will.The involuntary program had the opposite effect, propelling him into a years-long battle with problematic drug use – one that almost cost him his life.Mr. Shaw, who was in the facility for roughly 10 days, said children in the program were “treated like criminals” and weren’t provided with the proper supports, such as counselling. He remembers being assaulted by staff and placed in what was called a timeout room when he didn’t follow the rules.