Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown addresses the media alongside Deputy Mayor Harkirat Singh and Coun. Rowena Santos at a conference Thursday. Brown was calling on the Ontario government to help introduce what he called 'compassionate care' for people facing addictions and mental health issues.
Brampton's mayor says Ontario should change its Mental Health Act to allow forcible treatment in extreme addictions and mental health cases. Opponents say that would infringe on individual rights, and more mental health resources are what's needed.Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has announced a controversial idea to treat people with brain injuries, mental illness and severe addictions against their will.
Though involuntary treatment has its opponents, with advocates and medical professionals concerned about its efficacy and impact on individual rights, the idea is already being considered seriously in other parts of the country. The Peel Region is becoming overwhelmed with overdoses and emergency health cases caused by toxic drugs and mental health issues, Brown said, noting there have been 705 deaths related to toxic substances in the last five years. He said Brampton is at the epicentre of the region's crisis.
On Thursday, Dr. David Gratzer, a psychiatrist with the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health , told CBC Radio'sthat doctors are already able to treat a person against their will in extraordinary circumstances, such as when someone isn't eating or sleeping or is close to death. Gratzer said more resources and responses to the root causes of mental health disorders, addictions and homelessness would also prevent more deaths.
"Simply detaining individuals for treatment without tackling the underlying social determinants, such as homelessness, will not result in lasting recovery," she said.To adopt "compassionate care" in Peel Region, the province would have to make changes to the Mental Health Act.
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