'We're Canadian citizens, man': BC's plans for involuntary care sound like 'jail' to people at risk

Drug addiction is a fact of life in the homeless encampment on the rail trail at Kelowna's north end.

And people living there are uneasy about the province's objectives to target some of those individuals for "involuntary care."

BC Premier David Eby has announced plans for new secure facilities to provide involuntary care under the Mental Health Act for those with severe addictions.

And while the stated objective is only to bring in those who are mentally ill and brain-injured, the idea doesn't sit well among residents of the encampment.

"It's almost like jail," said Kyle.

"And the only crime being a drug addict, and as far as I know that's not a crime."

"I see very bad things coming out of that," said Destiny.

"I think it's bullshit. Nobody should be forced to do nothing. We're Canadian citizens, man," said Chuck.

"They put you inside and when you get out you will be twice as pissed off and you'll be twice as likely to get high."

"People have their liberties," said a friend of Chuck's.

"When you start taking those things away then democracy has failed."

"I don't think anybody should be forced here," said Jeff.

"I don't think anyone here is a danger to anyone else."

Most say that the treatment part of any involuntary care plan is destined to fail.

The generally held view is that treatment doesn't work with an unwilling subject.

"I don't feel that being forced into anything is going to get anybody better," said Destiny.

"If they don't want to change they won't change," said another resident of the encampment.

"So in the end it's not worth it."

Of the dozen residents of the rail trail that spoke with KelownaNow, only a few suggested there could be some cases where involuntary care might make sense.

Destiny said: "It would have to be in very extreme cases."

"I don't think it's a very good idea to take away anybody's right to choose for themself," said Deanna O'Brien.

"But it could be good in some cases where the people are not capable of making the right choice when it comes to the safety of themselves or the people around them, so I'm kind of torn."

Eby has pledged a re-elected NDP will introduce legislation in the next session "to provide clarity and ensure that people, including youth, can and should receive care when they are unable to seek it themselves."