The liberal use of forced interventions is in part due to B.C.’s abysmal voluntary mental health service landscape characterized by lengthy wait times, high access fees, capacity shortages and a lack of culturally appropriate services. This creates barriers for people seeking timely support.

So the issue isn’t really the idea of forced interventions. The issue is really the lack of adequate healthcare availability in the first place. The forced interventions seem to be a red-herring to distract from the real issue.

It may be a controversial opinion, but forced interventions are necessary, in my opinion. Those who pose a danger to others must be dealt with in the most humane manner possible, and in a way that works long-term. That is why I believe that forced treatment, over the long term, is the best option. But it has to be a robust system that is also not cruel to the patient. It must be adequately funded, staffed by dedicated professionals who are adequately compensated, and monitored by third parties to ensure a cruelty-free environment for the patient.