WHEREAS families in BC face difficult decisions with few options when dealing with youth struggling with abuse and addiction; AND WHEREAS previous attempts to create legislation in the province to protect these youth were abandoned: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM urges the Province of British Columbia to implement a further avenue of support for youth struggling with addiction and substance abuse when all other options for intervention and voluntary treatment have failed, similar to programs available in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba where detox and treatment options are available to families whose youth struggling with abuse have refused treatment.
Ministry of Children Family Development The Ministry of Health Services through the Health Authorities delivers youth substance use outreach, withdrawal management and treatment services. The Ministry of Children and Family Development MCFD has legislation through the Child, Family and Community Service Act CFCSA for child welfare related youth services. In particular, MCFD is responsible for community mental health services for children and youth, children and youth with special needs, youth justice, child protection and services for high risk youth. There are no plans in the near future to introduce legislation mandating detoxification or treatment of youth with substance use problems beyond the current regulatory frameworks i.e. through the CFCSA, Youth Justice or the Mental Health Act. In severe situations, the British Columbia Mental Health Act includes a provision for involuntary admission to a designated facility or hospital for individuals with a mental disorder who also meet other specific psychiatric criteria. A substance use disorder is considered a mental disorder, and as a result can be included as meeting one, but not all, of the specific criteria for involuntary admission to hospital. MCFD and several other ministries are also currently working together to develop processes within the current regulatory frameworks that will enhance engagement with youth who may be reluctant to engage in services to address severe problems. MCFD and the Ministry of Health Services in collaboration with other ministries and community partners have developed a comprehensive 10-year-plan to address mental health and substance use across the lifespan. The plan was released on November 1, 2010, and will support a whole-systems approach to improve the range of integrated services and supports to meet various levels of need across the continuum. This will include earlier youth friendly evidence-based interventions to prevent development of more serious problems or reduce the impact of problems experienced by youth.