Bradford Calls for Mandatory Addiction Treatment in Toronto

Toronto mayoral candidate and Councillor Brad Bradford is calling for mandatory addiction treatment in the most severe cases, saying the city cannot afford to wait for another government review.

“Toronto needs mandatory addiction treatment for the most severe cases, and we need it now,” Bradford said Monday. “We need beds, we need change to the law, and we need the will to act.”

His plan calls on Ontario to allow mandatory treatment when severe addiction has left someone unable to make treatment decisions and at serious, near-term risk of harm. It also proposes at least 100 recovery-house beds in Toronto, expanded treatment capacity, and more mental-health/addiction response teams.

Bradford argues the approach would combine compassion for those suffering from severe addiction with improved public safety.