British Columbia’s premier says the province will be opening secure facilities to provide involuntary care under the Mental Health Act for people with severe addictions.

David Eby says the first site, which will also provide care for people with mental illness and brain injuries, will open in Maple Ridge on the grounds of the Alouette Correctional Centre “in the coming months” with plans to expand throughout the province.

The premier’s promise comes a week before the official launch of the provincial election campaign and three months after he appointed Dr. Daniel Vigo is B.C.’s first chief scientific adviser for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders.

More coming.

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