Protection of Children Abusing Drugs (PChAD) Program

Overview

If you’re the parent or guardian of a child who is under 18 and abusing drugs or alcohol, you can apply to the PChAD Program from Alberta Health Services.

This program allows you to apply for a court order – issued by the Court of Justice under the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act – that authorizes a child to be placed in a protective safe house.

When a child is in the PChAD Program, they:

• get a detailed assessment
• detox in a safe environment
• get future treatment recommendations
• may be supported by a parent or guardian who decides to participate in their treatment process

Place a child in the PChAD Program

Step 1. Contact an addiction counsellor

To arrange a pre-application meeting about the PChAD Program with an addiction counsellor, you can use any of these methods:

• search for an Addiction Services office
• call the Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322
• dial 811 for Health Link

Step 2. Meet with an addiction counsellor

During your meeting with an addiction counsellor from the PChAD Program, you’ll discuss your child and how the program can help them.

Step 3. Fill out the form

Notice and Application for a Protection Order form

Step 4. File your paperwork

Do this at any Court of Justice in Alberta.

File both your:

• Confirmation of Attendance letter
• Notice and Application for a Protection Order form

Step 5. Notify all parties

You must let the PChAD Program and the other parent or guardian know that you’ve filed an order at least 2 days before the court hearing.

PChAD Program

Phone: 1-888-844-5395
Hours: 8 am - 4 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Other parent or guardian

Notify them with one of these methods:

• deliver a copy of the order in person
• fax or email a copy of the order
• give verbal notice over the phone

Step 6. File the affidavit with the court

File the Affidavit of Notice Regarding an Application for a Protection Order form

You must swear or affirm the affidavit before a commissioner for oaths. A court clerk or an information coordinator at a resolution support centre can help with this.

Step 7. Go to court

Attend the court hearing that’s listed in your Notice of Hearing on the designated day and at the appropriated time. Bring both copies of your forms and documents.

After the hearing

If the judge grants the order

1. Get a certified copy of the order before you leave the courthouse.
2. Call the PChAD Program and let them know that you’ve received the order:

   Phone: 1-888-844-5395
   Hours: 8 am - 4 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

   The program representative will book a bed in a protective safe house for the child. The date for this depends on the availability of a bed.

3. Arrange for the child to be transported to the safe house once a bed is available.

If the judge doesn’t grant the order

Call the PChAD Program and let them know about this:

Phone: 1-888-844-5395
Hours: 8 am - 4 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)