UC recognises that involuntary detention and treatment encroaches on human rights such as the right to liberty and security of person and the right not to be subjected to medical treatment without full, free and informed consent.
However, in our experience there are occasions when an individual needs to be detained for treatment in order to prevent them (and sometimes others) from serious harm, including death.
We support the option of mandatory assessment and/or treatment of people with severe substance dependence to provide for their immediate safety as well as the safety of their loved ones.
Any further treatment should be voluntary, but there must be follow-up options for individuals detained under the proposed Act with a particular focus on streamlining referrals and access to step-down support to remove barriers to engagement.
Funding must not be redirected away from existing services.
