$8.7-million detox centre called ‘high-priced drunk tank’

The new facility to detain people in a drug psychosis for up to 72 hours is operating the way it should, the government said Friday, even though just 26 people have been held for that purpose since it opened.

“The (protective care centre) is doing what it’s meant to do: support people, meet them where they’re at, provide a caring environment,” Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith said after updated data were posted online.

The vast majority of those detained at the 20-room facility at 190 Disraeli Fwy. were recovering from alcohol intoxication, the update shows.

In total, 4,425 people were detained from the time the site opened on Dec. 2, 2025, until June 30, for an average of less than five hours.

As of March 4, it began to detain people under the influence of methamphetamine or other non-alcohol substances.

The data show 26 people were detained for that purpose during the first four months.

The average length of stay was under 10 hours, while the longest stay was 45.5 hours.

Smith said a shift in “drug trends,” which she called unpredictable, accounts for the reason so few were detained for non-alcohol intoxication.

“You have people who are acting out violently that are a danger to themselves, a danger to others. We’re not seeing that as much,” she said.

“We’re seeing more of the tranquilizer, where people are in a sedated state,” she said.

The centre runs under a medical model led by doctors and clinicians, the minister said.

Detainees are assessed and monitored by health and social services professionals. They’re offered food, water and medical care as well as referrals to various mental health and addictions supports and community resources.

The province paid $3.7 million to buy the building and budgeted $5 million to renovate it to safely detain people who are intoxicated and a danger to themselves or others for up to 72 hours.

Joseph Fourre, who advocates for prevention and more addictions treatment programs, called it a “very, very high-priced drunk tank.”

“We were promised that the centre would help people in the throes of meth psychosis, making the streets a little safer and then having the wraparound services in order to get these people help,” he said.

Fourre founded the Singing Red Bear Foundation, which provides support to families coping with addiction, after his son, Harlan, died of fentanyl poisoning in 2023.

“Twenty-six people …doesn’t make a significant impact to the people suffering from psychosis,” said the man who is in recovery after a years-long addiction to heroin and meth.

Fourre said more people who are in that sedated state or the bent-over fentanyl “fold” should access the medical treatment provided at the protective care centre.

“Why aren’t they being assisted? Why does it always have to be a violent action before somebody gets help?”

The province changed legislation to extend the detention of intoxicated persons to 72 hours from 24 hours over concerns about the longer-lasting effect of drugs such as meth.

Premier Wab Kinew said last year the new “drunk tank” and legislation were intended to keep people safe from those “wilding out” on drugs — including the intoxicated person.

Smith said the centre is a “needed resource,” when she responded to a question about whether the money could have been better spent.

“It’s only one of the tools, many tools that we do have as a government that we are supporting,” the minister said.

She said detainees can get wound care and referrals to services.

“It’s about providing a caring space so people can get connected and into treatment, if that’s what they so desire.”

The Tory critic said the government missed the mark.

“The NDP promised action to protect those struggling with addiction and to protect society from individuals suffering from that addiction,” Jeff Bereza said in an email.

“Manitobans were told this would be a detox facility staffed with doctors and professionals. What we’ve actually seen is …a drunk tank, not a treatment centre,” the Portage la Prairie MLA said.

“If people aren’t staying long enough for medical care to happen, then it was never built to do what the government promised.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Protective Care Centre report