Last Updated on October 20, 2025
Manitoba targets meth crisis with proposed 72‑hour detention law
Main topic: Addiction and mental health
Key Takeaways
- Manitoba has proposed Bill 48 to allow up to 72 hours of protective care for people intoxicated by drugs such as meth.
- The change targets the longer‑lasting effects of methamphetamine; the focus is health and safety, not criminal penalties.
- Initial holds remain up to 24 hours; any time beyond that must occur in a designated protective care centre named by the province.
- The bill would permit an involuntary medical exam and require clinical checks at least every 24 hours, with release sooner if the person stabilizes or a responsible adult can assume care.
- Supporters, including some police leaders, say meth effects can last 2–3 days, and longer holds could reduce repeat calls and ease ER pressure while connecting people to services.
- The Opposition seeks more detail on locations, staffing, safeguards, and oversight before backing the plan.
- The proposal does not mandate addiction treatment; it emphasizes stabilization and referral to supports.
- Community agencies stress that extended stays should include mental‑health care and withdrawal management to improve outcomes.
- If passed, the framework aims to balance public safety with access to care, while keeping people out of the criminal system during drug‑induced crises.
Table of Contents
Manitoba has introduced legislation that would let authorities keep people who are intoxicated by drugs in care for up to 72 hours, up from the current 24. The move is aimed at the longer‑lasting effects of methamphetamine and is framed as a health and safety response, not a criminal one.
What the bill would do
The proposal allows health‑care professionals to hold someone in protective care for as long as three days. That gives time to stabilize and to offer addiction supports such as medically supervised meth detox. The bill does not mandate treatment. It does allow an involuntary medical exam and requires a clinical check at least every 24 hours. People can be released sooner if they are no longer intoxicated or if a responsible adult can take over their care.
Protective care centres
Detention beyond the first 24 hours would require a transfer to a designated “protective care centre.” The locations will be named by cabinet. Existing 24‑hour holds would still be possible in initial detention sites.
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Why now, according to supporters
Police leaders say meth intoxication often lasts two to three days—see how long meth stays in the system for context—and drives repeat “check‑on‑well‑being” calls that tie up resources. They argue a longer health‑based hold could reduce calls and give people time to clear the drug and connect with services.
Questions from the Opposition
The Progressive Conservatives say details are unclear, including where people would be held and what safeguards would apply. They want clarity on whether hospitals or supervised consumption sites could be designated as protective care centres. They also want details about clinical supports. It is also not yet clear whether the bill will pass before the mid‑November break.
Name and current law
Officials have referred to the measure as Bill 48, the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act. Under Manitoba’s current Intoxicated Persons Detention Act, police can hold an intoxicated person but must release them within 24 hours. A person may consent to remain longer in a detox centre. The new bill would extend the maximum time for drug intoxication and would formalize the role of protective care centres.
What comes next
If passed, the government says the change is meant to lower pressure on emergency rooms, keep the public safe and connect people with care. It aims to also avoid criminal charges for people in a drug‑induced crisis. Community agencies, like Main Street Project, have said any longer stay must include access to mental‑health supports and withdrawal management.
How Nova Recovery Center Supports Safe and Effective Meth Detox
Nova Recovery Center provides comprehensive support for individuals seeking meth detox by offering safe, medically supervised care designed to ease the withdrawal process. Our team understands that methamphetamine use often leads to intense physical and psychological challenges, so we focus on evidence-based treatment methods that address both. Clients receive 24/7 medical monitoring to ensure their safety during the most difficult stages of detox. Beyond stabilization, Nova Recovery Center helps individuals build a foundation for long-term recovery through structured therapy, relapse prevention planning, and peer support.
We recognize that meth use can take a heavy toll on mental health, which is why our programs incorporate holistic care that nurtures both body and mind. With personalized treatment plans, each client is guided toward the next step in their recovery journey, whether it be residential treatment, outpatient care, or sober living. Our goal is not only to help people through detox but also to prepare them for lasting sobriety. By combining medical expertise, compassionate care, and proven recovery strategies, Nova Recovery Center empowers individuals to reclaim their lives from meth addiction.
Frequently Asked Questions: Manitoba’s 72‑Hour Protective Care & Meth Detox
What is methamphetamine and how does it affect the brain?
Methamphetamine is a powerful synthetic stimulant that increases dopamine and can lead to dependence and serious health harms.
What does “drug intoxication” mean?
Drug intoxication is the short‑term state after taking a substance that alters thinking, mood and coordination; severe cases can progress to poisoning/overdose and require urgent care.
How is stimulant (e.g., meth) intoxication managed in the ER?
Care focuses on calming and stabilizing the person (e.g., sedation, cooling, fluids, management of complications). Evidence‑based guidance for stimulant intoxication/withdrawal supports this approach.
When should someone go to the ER for suspected stimulant overdose?
Call 911 for red‑flag signs such as loss of consciousness, trouble breathing, very high temperature or prolonged seizure; give naloxone if opioids may be involved.
How long can meth intoxication or psychosis last?
Acute effects can persist for 1–3 days in some cases, which is one reason Manitoba cited for proposing extended protective care.
How long does meth withdrawal last?
Some acute symptoms improve within about a week, while craving can persist for weeks. Individual timelines vary.
Is meth detox safe without medical help?
Because withdrawal may include severe depression or suicidality, clinical monitoring and support are recommended for safety.
What is Manitoba’s current law on detaining intoxicated persons?
Under The Intoxicated Persons Detention Act (C.C.S.M. c. I90), a person taken into custody must be released within 24 hours, unless they consent to remain in a detoxication centre.
What would Bill 48 (“Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act”) change?
The proposal would allow up to 72 hours of protective care for people intoxicated by drugs (not alcohol alone), require medical assessments at least every 24 hours, and allow an involuntary medical exam; detentions beyond 24 hours would occur at designated protective care centres.
Are “protective care centres” already defined?
Not yet; outlets report they would be designated later by provincial cabinet.
Is detention under Bill 48 the same as forced addiction treatment?
No. Reporting indicates the bill does not mandate addiction treatment; it focuses on stabilization and connection to supports.
Can police in Winnipeg take someone into custody for intoxication?
Yes—police can take an intoxicated person into custody under current law and bring them to a detoxication centre; under the proposal, protective care could extend up to 72 hours for drug intoxication.
What is the Winnipeg Police non‑emergency phone number?
204‑986‑6222. Use 911 for crimes in progress or life‑threatening emergencies.
Where can people in Manitoba access addiction supports quickly?
Options include RAAM Clinics (walk‑in), the Manitoba Addictions Helpline (1‑855‑662‑6605), and regional programs listed by Shared Health and WRHA.
Is detox the same as treatment?
No. Detox/withdrawal management stabilizes the acute phase; ongoing treatment (counselling, contingency management, peer support, etc.) is needed for recovery, per stimulant‑use guidelines.
What happens during meth detox?
Teams monitor vital signs and mental status, manage agitation and sleep, address hydration/nutrition, and plan next‑step care; evidence‑based guidance outlines these practices.
What services does Main Street Project provide?
Main Street Project operates Withdrawal Management Services (non‑medical detox) and related supports in Winnipeg.
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Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prescription and over-the-counter medications should always be used only as directed and under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider. Do not begin, discontinue, or change the way you take any medication without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist. If you are experiencing severe side effects, withdrawal symptoms, or a medical emergency, call 911 in the United States or seek immediate medical help. For free and confidential support with mental health or substance use concerns, you can dial 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
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Canadian Press. (2024, October 1). People on meth, other drugs could be detained longer under proposed Manitoba law. CityNews Winnipeg. https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/2024/10/01/manitoba-drug-detox-bill/ (Accessed October 3, 2025).
Canadian Press. (2024, October 1). People on meth, other drugs could be detained longer under proposed Manitoba law. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/10834786/manitoba-meth-drug-detox-bill/ (Accessed October 3, 2025).
Canadian Press. (2024, October 1). Manitoba introduces new bill to extend protective detention for intoxicated persons. Q Country Radio. https://www.qcountryfm.ca/news/390314/manitoba-bill-48-drug-intoxication/ (Accessed October 3, 2025).
Winnipeg Free Press. (2024, October 2). Bill 48: Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act introduced in Manitoba legislature. Winnipeg Free Press. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2024/10/02/bill-48-manitoba-drug-intoxication (Accessed October 3, 2025).
Government of Manitoba. (2024). The Intoxicated Persons Detention Act (C.C.S.M. c. I90). Manitoba Laws. https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/i090e.php (Accessed October 3, 2025).
