Brandon Police Chief Advocates for 72-Hour Sobering Centre

Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates has expressed support for establishing a 72-hour sobering centre in the city, following the recent opening of a similar facility in Winnipeg. This new initiative stems from the enactment of Bill 48, the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, which was passed by the Manitoba government in November 2022. Under this legislation, the maximum detention period for individuals experiencing severe intoxication has been extended from 24 hours to 72 hours.

The recent opening of the sobering centre in Winnipeg on December 2, 2023, is part of the provincial government’s effort to address public safety and health concerns related to intoxication. It features 20 rooms, with 16 designated for individuals who are inebriated, while four rooms are reserved for those affected by methamphetamine, expected to open soon. This centre is staffed by on-site paramedics and workers from the Main Street Project, an organization focused on serving marginalized populations.

While Bernadette Smith, the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, indicated that future centres could potentially open in cities like Brandon and Thompson, she did not confirm any plans specifically for Brandon. Smith emphasized that the aim of the new protective care centre is to keep individuals safe during critical moments of intoxication and to connect them to support services once they are stabilized.

Chief Bates highlighted the risks associated with releasing individuals who remain under the influence of drugs. He described it as a “disconcerting feeling” when individuals are let go before fully sobering up, stating, “The vulnerability of those people… they’re not in a great situation to be able to care for themselves.” He noted that intoxicated individuals face heightened risks of harm, including exposure to extreme weather, potential injury, exploitation, or violence.

In recent months, Brandon Police have observed a significant increase in the number of arrests related to intoxication. Between July 3 and November 18, 2023, police detained 529 people under the former Intoxicated Persons Detention Act or for breach of peace, a notable rise from 255 arrests during the same period the previous year. Bates remarked that this trend indicates a pressing need for additional community support aimed at helping individuals who may require more than 24 hours to recover.

Although the Brandon Police Service has not yet discussed the establishment of a 72-hour sobering centre, Bates acknowledged the potential impact on paramedics’ workloads should such a facility be created. Currently, paramedics at the detention centre make referrals to other agencies for individuals seeking addiction or mental health support.

The city of Brandon received $2 million in funding from Manitoba’s Department of Justice in 2021 to partner with the John Howard Society of Brandon Inc. to develop a sobering centre. However, project progress has been slow due to budgetary constraints, with the initial design estimated at $6 million. Community housing and wellness coordinator Shannon Saltarelli explained that the planning committee is working to scale back the project to fit within current financial limitations.

Saltarelli remarked on the importance of the centre’s potential function, saying, “A 72-hour window would allow somebody to safely get through that intoxicated state, and it could also be a gateway for someone to take a next step with their struggle with addiction.” She noted that a sobering centre would provide a safe environment for individuals to recover from intoxication, as opposed to being confined in a police holding cell.

The Joshua Jacks Centre, located on 13th Street in Brandon, currently offers a six-bed detox facility and transitional housing for individuals struggling with addiction. Opened in September 2021, this centre is named in memory of Joshua Jacks Mennie, who tragically died from a drug overdose in 2016. Despite its resources, the Brandon Police Service does not transport intoxicated individuals to the Joshua Jacks Centre for care.

As discussions continue regarding the potential for a 72-hour sobering centre in Brandon, community leaders and law enforcement recognize the urgent need to enhance support systems for those battling addiction and to ensure that vulnerable populations receive the care they need during critical moments.