Point Douglas detox centre could open within weeks if legislation passes

A detox centre could open in Point Douglas as early as Nov. 1, if the NDP government’s proposed legislation to detain highly intoxicated people for as long as 72 hours passes in time.

Bernadette Smith, the minister for housing, addictions and homelessness, provided the updated timeline to reporters Wednesday, six days after the province announced a plan to create a “protective care centre” at a government-owned building at 190 Disraeli Fwy.

“We’ve heard from Manitobans that they want to make sure that people who are under the influence, other than alcohol, get the supports they need, and that people who are at a risk of safety to themselves and of safety of others, that they are taken off the street,” Smith said at the legislature.

The property was considered as a potential supervised consumption site, but the NDP scrapped that proposal after backlash from the inner-city community.

The minister acknowledged there is some opposition to the current proposal, but pointed out the facility is near Main Street Project, which has a 24-hour detox facility.

“When we look at Main Street Project, where it’s situated right now, 190 (Disraeli Fwy.) is a block away. Folks… are going to be brought there by police, so it’s going to be no different than what is happening right now,” she said.

The centre’s opening is contingent on the passage of Bill 48, the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, she said.

Currently, the detention of intoxicated people is limited to a maximum of 24 hours; the law was written when intoxication meant by alcohol. The proposed legislation seeks to triple the detention limit to account for more potent drugs such as methamphetamine, which can cause prolonged periods of psychosis.

The centre would include 20 spaces where people could detox from drugs under medical supervision. It would provide health resources, including prenatal testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and other conditions.

If the plan moves ahead, another 20 spaces could be introduced to the facility in the new year, the province has said.

Smith said the government is still determining the appropriate staffing level for the proposed facility, but stressed it will be operated by medical professionals.

The province worked with three physicians to determine the 72-hour timeline, she said.

Jitender Sareen, the province’s medical specialty lead for mental health and addiction, said he is in favour of the legislation. He noted the 72-hour window aligns with the Mental Health Act and allows adequate time for medical professionals to assess a patient.

People who detox before that period will be released, while others who experience prolonged medical events can be transferred to other facilities for appropriate care, he said.

“The legislation is really responding to the crystal meth epidemic and this really does require careful, regular assessments,” Sareen said.

Sareen, who leads the department of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba, is one of four high-ranking medical experts in Manitoba who wrote a letter of support to Smith’s office in late September.

“Collectively, we believe that, with appropriate implementation — including enhanced medical oversight, regular assessments, access to health services, and safeguards to ensure preservation of human rights and individual autonomy — this change will improve safety,” reads the letter, shared with the Free Press by the provincial government.

Sareen said the facility should include security staff and paramedics who can assess patients as frequently as every 15 minutes, if needed. A physician experienced in addictions and general practice should also be on hand, he said.

It is critical to ensure the plan proceeds with patient safety as a priority, and with a full assessment on how introducing the detox centre will affect the health system, he said.

Asked whether he feels the province will be prepared to open the detox centre within the next few weeks, Sareen said: “We are trying to work with government on those timelines.”

Other co-signers of the endorsement letter include Dr. Rob Grierson, medical director of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service; Dr. Erin Knight, medical lead for the provincial rapid access to addictions medicine clinics and president of the Canadian Society of Addictions Medicine; and Rob Fry, CEO of mental health and addictions for Shared Health.

Knight, Grierson and Fry were unavailable for interviews Wednesday.

“Will this turn into a drug consumption site? I don’t know. These are questions we are asking.”

Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan said he has many questions about the proposed legislation and the detox centre, including how much it will cost to operate, who will staff it and how safety will be ensured. He raised concerns about where other centres could be opened in future.

“We can still support the concept of it, but the devil is in the details,” Khan said. “Will this turn into a drug consumption site? I don’t know. These are questions we are asking.”

Last week, Bill 48 passed second reading, with Tory support.

The legislative committee that is reviewing the bill will hear public presentations Thursday evening.

—with files from Carol Sanders

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca