Healing Begins with Choice, Not Control.
True Compassion in Addiction Recovery
Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It is a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.
— Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart
In light of Premier Smith's recent announcement regarding 'compassionate' intervention and mandatory addiction treatment, we feel it is important to reiterate our stance on recovery. This is written not just as an advocacy statement, but from firsthand experience witnessing the profound impact a compassionate, community-centered approach has on individuals struggling with addiction.
While we appreciate the urgency of tackling Alberta’s addiction crisis, we are deeply concerned that the proposed ‘compassionate’ intervention legislation and the construction of mandatory treatment centers are not the right path forward. Research, lived experience, and basic human dignity all point toward a different, more effective way.
The True Meaning of Compassion
Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another's suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. But when we forcibly remove people from their communities, strip them of their autonomy, and place them in mandatory treatment against their will, we are not suffering with them—we are imposing suffering on them.
This approach does not foster healing; it creates a dystopian scenario in which vulnerable Albertans are subjected to forced intervention under the guise of care. Recovery happens when people feel safe, heard, and empowered to take the next step—not when they are forced into treatment against their will.
Empower Recovery: The Science Against Forced Treatment
Science supports this stance. Numerous studies have shown that mandatory treatment does not lead to better long-term outcomes. Instead, it can cause further harm by increasing trauma and failing to address the deeper factors that contribute to addiction.
Published research confirms that coercive treatment approaches do not improve recovery outcomes and violate human rights. Boston Medical Center has similarly found that forced treatment does not significantly reduce substance use or improve health in the long run. Reports from global organizations such as the Open Society Foundations and the United Nations highlight the dangers of involuntary treatment, urging governments to prioritize voluntary, person-centered approaches instead.
A More Effective Path Forward
If we truly want to support people in their recovery, we need to invest in what actually works:
Pre-Abstinence and Pre-Contemplation Services: Expanding motivational interviewing and supportive services that help people explore change on their own terms.
Community-Based Programs: Funding grassroots organizations that provide personalized support and build strong recovery networks.
Recovery Community Centers: Creating spaces where people can connect with peers, mentors, and holistic resources in a supportive environment.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Ensuring access to stable housing, employment opportunities, and mental health support—key components of lasting recovery.
A Plea for Evidence-Based Compassionate Solutions
Compassion means more than just good intentions; it means listening to the science, respecting individual autonomy, and funding solutions that empower people rather than control them. We urge the Alberta government to reconsider this policy direction and instead invest in evidence-based, community-driven initiatives that truly help people heal.
If we want real change, we must choose compassion—not coercion.
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