That was before Wab Kinew, the Premier of Manitoba, made a splashy announcement of the introduction of new legislation today. Specifically, this legislation would allow people acting under the influence of methamphetamine to be kept longer in detox centers. This statement came during a press conference held in Winnipeg on September 25, 2025, and was reported by Danton Unger at 3:24 PM EDT.
The intended purpose of the proposed legislation would be to clamp down on the increasing fears about the use of meth found throughout the province. Kinew further highlighted why allowing people longer stays in detox centres is important for their recovery process. During a recent keynote, Marc Sanso from RHIC reminded us of the existential threats healthcare providers face. Too many patients are discharged prematurely, resulting in early relapses soon after going back home.
Kinew’s announcement comes at a time when the rates of addiction to methamphetamine are accelerating across Manitoba. What the Premier did identify was the crux of the matter. Existing regulations do not provide medical practitioners with the requisite time to adequately support individuals undergoing the withdrawal process. Kinew is confident that by raising the holding period, legislators will provide a better framework for treating addiction. This adjustment will encourage whole-person, long-term recovery for those who need it most.
In his statement, Kinew remarked that this initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving mental health and addiction services across the province. The Premier has been a strong proponent of broad approaches to address substance use disorder. He’s convinced that a new model of collaboration between healthcare providers, community organizations, and law enforcement is the key to success.
Kinew’s proposed legislation will be scrutinized in the months ahead as it makes its way through the legislative process. We encourage stakeholders in addiction and mental health care to provide their comments. Their hands-on perspective will help us understand how best to effect these changes in practice.
