Winnipeg advocates voice concerns about protective care centre

Substance users, local families, and harm reduction advocates are gearing up for a rally on Sunday to say no to the 72-hour protective care centre.

Skye McLean is behind the protest. She says, evidence-based care is one of their demands.

“Throwing people in cells, while they are sick, is cruel and shame on the province,” said McLean.

“It’s a healthcare issue – the meth epidemic here in this province. And it doesn’t look like it’s being treated as a healthcare issue.”

McLean struggled with substance use in her teenage years. She says, an involuntary hold will exacerbate the stigma surrounding substance use and prevent people from seeking treatment in the future.

“If somebody threw me in a cell and made me forcibly detox when I wasn’t ready, I wouldn’t be very open to it after. That’s traumatizing,” said McLean.

A statement from Bernadette Smith, Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, reads: “Addiction has touched so many Manitoba families, including my own, and I know how frightening it can be when someone you love is in crisis. Our goal with the new protective care centre is to keep people safe during the most dangerous moments of intoxication and psychosis, to make sure they have real supports for them during their time here, and to connect them to further services after they leave. It’s about preventing harm, protecting the public, and giving people a pathway to care when they are at their most vulnerable.”

Protesters shared a list of concerns they will be forwarding to the province Sunday — calling the centre — a violation of human rights.

“We have our whole hundreds of years of history suggesting that certain groups are probably more likely to be incarcerated under this hold that the other groups of people. So I think that’s another huge issue,” said Tammy Taillieu, an advocate.

Taillieu plans to attend the rally. Her family was affected by substance use in the past.

“It’s been about seven years now. And it’s been a very difficult experience for my family.”

Destiny Taillieu was Tammy Taillieu’s niece. She passed away from fentanyl poisoning at the age of 22.

After seeking detox, Destiny was in involuntary mental health treatment. Taillieu says, for her niece, there were a lot of gaps in the system.

“Although she tried to stay sober after that, ultimately she died within a week or two after that involuntary mental health care hold,” said Taillieu.

Adding, “I am not fighting for my family member anymore. I am fighting for everyone else who’s out there still using substances.”

McLean says, “The ultimate goal is to not have a 72-hour hold in Manitoba.”