Alberta to Build Involuntary Drug Treatment Centre Near Calgary

The Alberta government has confirmed plans to establish one of its two involuntary drug treatment facilities adjacent to the Royal Oak neighbourhood in northwest Calgary. This initiative, part of the United Conservative Party’s (UCP) controversial **Compassionate Intervention** approach, aims to address the province’s growing addiction crisis. The new centre will be located next to the **Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre** and the under-construction **Rocky Ridge Athletic Complex**.

This development comes amid concerns from local residents regarding the concentration of secure facilities in the area, which already hosts five lockups, including the **Calgary Remand Centre** and the **Calgary Correctional Centre**. Many community members fear that their neighbourhood is becoming a repository for social issues, particularly as the new centre will add to the existing facilities designed to manage criminal behavior and addiction.

According to an Alberta Infrastructure document, the Calgary centre, along with a second facility planned for the **Alberta Hospital Edmonton Campus**, will each cover a footprint of **16,000 square metres** and provide **150 beds** for treatment. Both facilities are set for completion in **2029**. While the centres will be secure, Alberta Infrastructure has stated that they will also be “welcoming,” featuring areas for intake assessments, medically supported detoxification, and both individual and group therapy.

The selection of these sites is attributed to their proximity to existing provincial resources, which could facilitate comprehensive support for individuals undergoing treatment. Alberta Infrastructure noted, “Building on existing government-owned land near other government facilities allows us to maximize land usage and take advantage of existing utilities.”

The project will be financed through a public-private partnership (P3), with the province covering approximately **50%** of the construction costs while retaining ownership of the facilities. Contractors interested in the project must submit their qualifications by the end of **October 2023**, with the selected firm to be announced in **June 2024**. Over **80 businesses** have already shown interest in the undertaking.

Residents express concerns

Local residents have expressed significant concerns regarding the implications of the new treatment centre, particularly its potential effects on crime rates. Some have linked the facility’s presence to increased risks posed by individuals released from treatment. Additionally, there has been heated opposition to a year-round daytime refuge for the homeless located at a nearby church, reflecting broader worries about public safety.

Dawn Stewart, a resident living across **Country Hills Boulevard** from the proposed site, voiced her frustration over the lack of community consultation. “Time and time again governments are implementing programs without any consultation or engagement with the people that will be most directly affected,” she stated. Stewart contrasted this situation with the Calgary Police’s prior interactions with the community before establishing their arrest processing unit in 2020.

While acknowledging the pressing need to address drug addiction, Stewart advocated for the new facility to be located further from residential areas, particularly along **85 Street N.W.**, where numerous lockups are concentrated. Current data from city police indicates that Rocky Ridge and Royal Oak have some of the lowest crime rates in Calgary, adding weight to the residents’ concerns.

Controversy surrounding the Compassionate Intervention Act

The establishment of the involuntary treatment centre follows the introduction of the **Compassionate Intervention Act** earlier this year, which empowers family members, guardians, medical professionals, and law enforcement to mandate treatment for individuals suffering from severe addiction. Critics, including **Shelley Duggan**, President of the Alberta Medical Association, have raised alarm over the lack of empirical support for this coercive approach. Duggan stated that “the current evidence does not support that the benefits of involuntary treatment outweigh the risks and costs,” highlighting ethical and human rights concerns.

Many argue that Alberta should prioritize voluntary treatment options before moving towards mandatory interventions. They also point out that the province has not released data evaluating the effectiveness of existing drug treatment programs. Despite this pushback, the provincial government maintains that harm reduction strategies, which include providing safer substances, have fallen short in addressing addiction issues.

Supporters of the new facilities, including some families of potential clients, view them as a necessary last resort for individuals unable to seek help on their own. In addition to the two involuntary centres, Alberta plans to open **11 voluntary recovery centres**, with **five** expected to begin operations this year.

As discussions surrounding addiction treatment continue, the Royal Oak community remains on alert, balancing concerns over public safety with the urgent need for effective intervention strategies.