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Part of New and proposed legislation

Providing life-saving treatment for substance abuse and addiction

Legislation to help individuals who are a danger to themselves or others due to their substance use or addiction get on the path to recovery.

Status: The Compassionate Intervention Act (formerly Bill 53) received royal assent on May 15, 2025

Ministry responsible: Mental Health and Addiction

Overview

The Compassionate Intervention Act, allows 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 individuals will receive assessment, stabilization, treatment and aftercare support.

Compassionate intervention is just one tool to help someone pursue recovery, which is why other options should be tried before someone is considered for compassionate intervention. To receive a care plan through compassionate intervention:

  • An adult must 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.

The Alberta Recovery Model, which compassionate intervention is a part of, is built on the underlying belief that anyone struggling with mental health or addiction challenges deserves the opportunity to pursue recovery and live a purpose-filled life. No one should be left to overdose repeatedly, harm themselves or others, or potentially die because they have lost the capacity to get help for their substance use or addiction.

Learn more about the compassionate intervention model.

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Key facts

The Compassionate Intervention Act is a first of its kind in Canada.

  • Safeguards will be built into the compassionate intervention process to ensure an individual’s rights are protected.
  • Legally binding decisions will be made by the compassionate intervention commission, an independent body appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
  • Treatment may take place in the community or in a secure facility.
  • Care will be tailored to individual needs and will focus on addressing substance use, improving overall health and wellness, and building the skills necessary to achieve long-term recovery.
  • Robust discharge planning will support the individual to continue their recovery journey beyond the compassionate intervention treatment period.
  • The Compassionate Intervention Act will replace and improve upon the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act by:
    • allowing for longer-term treatment
    • providing a less complex application process
    • increasing family involvement

Budget 2025 commits $180 million over 3 years to build 2, 150-bed compassionate intervention centres in Edmonton and Calgary, with construction beginning in 2026.

For youth, Alberta’s government is planning to transition protective safe houses used for PChAD into spaces for compassionate intervention. Next year, Alberta’s government expects to open the Northern Alberta Youth Recovery Centre, which will more than double addiction treatment capacity for youth and include space for care under the Compassionate Intervention Act.

Read the Bill 53 fact sheet to learn more.

Next steps

Certain sections of the Compassionate Intervention Act came into effect upon royal assent. The remaining sections will come into effect upon proclamation.

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