Vaughn Palmer: It was hard to square Eby’s new-found sense of urgency with the NDP’s leisurely approach to involuntary treatment until now.

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VICTORIA — Premier David Eby tried Sunday to convey a sense of urgency when he rolled out the latest NDP plan to impose involuntary treatment on people who are severely addicted and/or mentally ill.

“We cannot wait,” Eby told reporters. “This is a group of people that need intensive interventionist support. They are not able to ask for help for themselves. They will not benefit from voluntary treatment.

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“They require somebody to step in and recognize that they lack the capacity to look after themselves, (to) make decisions to keep themselves safe.”

All predicated on Eby and the NDP being elected for another term.

“If we’re returned to the legislature, we will introduce legislation to clarify authority under the Mental Health Act for involuntary care for people who can’t ask for it themselves, including youth,” said Eby.

It was hard to square Eby’s new-found sense of urgency with the NDP’s leisurely approach to involuntary treatment until now.

Four years ago, Premier John Horgan introduced legislation to allow temporary detention of young drug-overdose victims.

The Greens, then in a power-sharing arrangement with the NDP, refused to support the bill, saying it would be counterproductive.

Soon after,........

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