Grant: DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

Canada's drug overdose crisis has led to over 52,000 deaths since 2016, with many more experiencing negative health and social impacts. In response to increasing visible drug use and homelessness, the government of Alberta passed the Compassionate Intervention Act to expand involuntary treatment for people who use drugs with the goal of improving public safety and help people into recovery. The Act expands state authority to detain and treat adult and youth non-offenders deemed to be at risk due to drug use. However, evidence supporting involuntary treatment is limited and available data suggest that involuntary treatment for people who use drugs can lead to harm, such as an increased risk of overdose death after release and reduced trust in the healthcare system. Despite these concerns, the perspectives of people most affected by the law, people who use drugs and the healthcare providers who care for them, are not well understood. This study aims to fill that gap by examining the implementation of involuntary drug treatment for people who use drugs in Alberta. Using a qualitative, community-engaged approach, interviews will be conducted with people who use drugs and healthcare providers to document their real-world experiences with this new law. This project will identify the perceived benefits, harms, ethical challenges, and opportunities to improve policy and regulations. The goal is to centre the voices and experiences of people most directly impacted by the drug overdose crisis. This research will be supported by a community advisory group (CAG) and conducted in close collaboration with Indigenous scholars to ensure it is culturally safe and relevant to communities disproportionately affected by the crisis. By informing public understanding and supporting evidence-based health policy, findings will improve personal health outcomes, promote the health of structurally vulnerable populations, and guide the health care delivery toward person-centred care.