Overview
Addiction is an illness that if left untreated will worsen and can eventually lead to a person losing their ability to make good decisions for their health and wellbeing.
If passed, the Compassionate Intervention Act will allow adult family members, guardians, healthcare professionals, police or peace officers to request a treatment order for those whose addiction or substance use has made them a danger to themselves or others.
Eligible Albertans would receive stabilization, assessment, treatment and aftercare support. A multi-disciplinary team would deliver comprehensive, tailored supports focused on addressing substance use and rebuilding aspects of life destroyed by addiction.
The ultimate goal is to help people reclaim their lives and achieve better health and wellness.
Recovery is not easy, but it is possible.
Developed with Albertans in mind
Listen to the stories of families, community leaders and system partners who have been impacted by addiction and how they think a tool like compassionate intervention will help.
“With new, increasingly deadly drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl, we can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results while people are dying.”
Chief Cody Thomas, Enoch Cree Nation
A new approach
Too many individuals, families and communities are affected by substance use or addiction. It is clear we need to do something new to support individuals who have lost the capacity or lack the ability to make life-saving decisions, like choosing treatment and recovery.
This is why we are introducing compassionate intervention.
Recovery focused
A health intervention prioritizing treatment, recovery and support.
A last resort
For severe cases, when conventional supports have failed or are no longer an option.
Guided by evidence
Incorporates international learnings, best practices and expert advice.
Focus on youth
Intensive treatment so young people will have a brighter future.
Respecting rights
Built- in protection of individual rights and procedural safeguards.
Tailored treatment and ongoing care
Individualized care by a multidisciplinary team and continued support beyond the compassionate intervention period.
“We have never felt more pain than the day we found out we lost our daughter... Addiction truly does take over a person’s life, and it is devastating that legal intervention was not available to us.”
Susan and Stephan, parents of child lost to addiction
Intervention criteria
If the legislation is passed, compassionate intervention will be just one tool to help someone pursue recovery, which is why other options should be tried first before someone is considered for compassionate intervention. To receive a care plan through compassionate intervention:
- An adult would have to be likely to cause substantial harm to themselves or others within a reasonable time due to their substance use or addiction.
- For youth, the threshold would be slightly lower, to allow an intervention before the point of imminent danger and life-threatening harm.
From application to aftercare
The proposed compassionate intervention legislation offers a pathway to recovery for individuals suffering from severe substance use or addiction.
“Alberta is a leader in recovery, and other jurisdictions are taking note... Compassionate intervention is an innovative and encouraging step forward in resolving the most complex cases of addiction.”
Dr. Keith Humphreys, Stanford University
Respecting individual rights
While compassionate intervention legislation is unique, there is precedent in every Canadian jurisdiction, including Alberta, that allows for secure health care while still upholding individual rights and freedoms.
Safeguards will be put in place to help ensure legal rights are respected.
Informed of rights
Individuals will be presented with information about their rights, including the right to legal counsel and the right to speak with the Alberta Mental Health Patient Advocate.
Right to appeal
Individuals and guardians will have the right to appeal care plan decisions.
Right to privacy
The collection, use and disclosure of personal and health information will comply with privacy laws such as the Health Information Act, Personal Information Protection Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Right to request a treatment review
Individuals, guardians and treatment teams will be able to request a review of a treatment care plan. A time-based review will occur every six weeks.
Right to refuse treatment
Individuals or guardians will need to agree to most treatment. There will be certain treatment that cannot be refused, as set out in legislation. This is similar to the Mental Health Act, both here in Alberta and across every other Canadian province and territory.
Evidence informed
No single jurisdiction mirrors Alberta’s compassionate intervention model.
We are incorporating the best practices and learnings of treatment models from around the world to create a made-in-Alberta compassionate intervention model that works for Albertans.
We are also listening to the advice of experts, including the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE).
CoRE’s policy white paper on effective compassionate intervention makes several key recommendations, many of which will be incorporated into or have informed Alberta’s compassionate intervention framework. CoRE's ongoing guidance and expertise will help support the best possible outcomes for Albertans.
“There is nothing more heart-wrenching than families watching a loved one struggle with the illness of addiction… we look forward to having this resource to rebuild health and wellness across Alberta.”
Lerena Greig, PEP Society
Alberta Recovery Model
The Alberta Recovery Model, a comprehensive system of mental health and addiction care, is helping people get their lives back and is making the province a better place to call home. Everyone deserves an opportunity to pursue recovery. With the right care and support, recovery is possible.
If compassionate intervention legislation is passed, it will be another tool in the Alberta Recovery Model. It is because of the action taken under this model that we are now in a good position to provide the ongoing supports and services an individual will need after receiving care through the compassionate intervention program.
We have made significant strides to remove barriers and increase access to evidence-based treatment including building 11 recovery communities, increasing access to same day addiction treatment medication through the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program, and adding 10,000 new publicly funded addiction treatment spaces.
Recovery is a life-long journey. Help is available every step of the way.
“By prioritizing public safety and individual well-being, this act reflects our shared commitment to building healthier and safer communities across Alberta.”
Mark Neufeld, Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police
News
Delivering on compassionate intervention (April 15, 2025)
Providing life-saving treatment for substance abuse and addiction (April 15, 2025)
Laying the foundation for compassionate intervention (Feb 24, 2025)