B.C. Opens First-In-Canada Involuntary Care Unit for Inmates with Severe Mental Health and Addiction Issues

British Columbia has opened a new 10-bed facility inside the Surrey Pretrial Centre aimed at treating inmates with severe mental health issues, brain injuries, and addiction — even if they do not voluntarily seek help.

Premier David Eby called the new unit a first-of-its-kind response in Canada to what he described as one of the most tragic consequences of the ongoing toxic drug crisis: individuals so deeply affected by overlapping brain injuries, substance use, and psychiatric illness that they cycle endlessly through jails and courts — and often die without receiving adequate care.

“They don’t get better,” said Eby. “They just continually struggle and often then ultimately die.”

The new unit offers involuntary psychiatric and addiction treatment to incarcerated individuals who meet specific medical criteria, a move that Eby said provides judges with a much-needed option when deciding where to send offenders with complex health needs.

“It is my sincere hope this facility — and others we are planning — will give communities and the justice system a clear alternative,” said Eby. “We are intervening and making a difference.”

A Step Toward Immediate Care

Dr. Daniel Vigo, the province’s chief scientific adviser on mental health and addiction, said that before the unit opened, inmates in crisis would often wait in segregation for weeks while beds were located elsewhere. Now, they will receive psychiatric care immediately from a specialized team.

“This will prevent harms caused by untreated psychosis and agitation,” said Vigo. “It allows a care plan to be implemented and sustained through their time in corrections — and carried into the community afterward.”

Jennifer Duff, chief operating officer for BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, said one inmate at the Surrey facility is currently being assessed for the program, with four more across the province being considered for transfer.

The current beds are in a segregated area while renovations are completed on a dedicated space within the facility. A second involuntary care centre — for individuals not in custody — is also planned for Maple Ridge.

A Small but Focused Group

The B.C. government estimates about 2,500 people across the province fall into the high-risk category of having concurrent mental illness, addiction, and brain injury that renders them unable to seek help.

The new program targets only those individuals, Eby said, stressing that most people with substance use disorders will never be subject to involuntary treatment.

“This will be care that recognizes the humanity and dignity of every person who receives it,” he said. “Leaving people with serious brain injury and untreated illness to die in a ditch — that is not respectful of their rights or their humanity. So, we’re going to intervene.”

Divided Opinions on Involuntary Treatment

Critics of the program, including some drug policy and civil rights advocates, have argued that involuntary treatment is a simplistic and potentially harmful response to complex issues — and that it echoes a dark legacy of forced institutionalization in B.C., from residential schools to forced sterilization.

Eby acknowledged the concerns but said ignoring this specific population is “not acceptable.” He emphasized that these cases represent a small subset of the overall population struggling with addiction.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke called the new beds a “significant first step” and welcomed the province’s action, but warned the scale of the crisis goes far beyond corrections.

“The demand for mental-health and addiction services far outweighs available resources,” Locke said. “We must also acknowledge the broader implications, including addiction, homelessness, and the strain on our communities.”

A Cross-Party Consensus

The debate over involuntary treatment was a key issue in last October’s provincial election. Both Eby and B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad pledged to introduce some form of mandatory care for those deemed incapable of seeking help.

As B.C. continues to grapple with one of the deadliest drug crises in Canadian history, Thursday’s announcement marks a turning point — and one that may redefine how the province balances personal rights with the need for urgent intervention.