Narcotic Drug Addicts Act

CHAPTER 307

OF THE

REVISED STATUTES, 1989

NOTE - This electronic version of this statute is provided by the Office of the Legislative Counsel for your convenience and personal use only and may not be copied for the purpose of resale in this or any other form. Formatting of this electronic version may differ from the official, printed version. Where accuracy is critical, please consult official sources.

An Act to Provide for the
Compulsory Treatment of Persons
Addicted to the Improper Use of
Opium and Other Narcotic Drugs

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Narcotic Drug Addicts Act. R.S., c. 307, s. 1.

INTERPRETATION

Interpretation

2 In this Act,

(a) "addict" means any person addicted to the improper use of cocaine, opium or their derivatives or any other narcotic drug which for the time being is included in the schedule to the Narcotic Control Act (Canada);

(b) "justice" means a justice of the peace and includes two or more justices, if two or more justices act or have jurisdiction, and also a judge of the provincial court or any person having the power or authority of two or more justices of the peace;

(c) "Minister" means the Minister of Health and Fitness or other person charged with the administration of laws relating to public health in the Province. R.S., c. 307, s. 2.

TREATMENT OF ADDICTS

Notice to submit for treatment

3 Where the Minister is credibly informed that an addict is resident within the Province, he may give notice in writing to such addict requiring him to consult a legally qualified medical practitioner and submit himself for treatment, within such time as the Minister may prescribe, and to continue such treatment until cured. R.S., c. 307, s. 3.

Committal

4 Should the addict fail to submit himself to such treatment within the time prescribed by the Minister, or to continue the treatment until cured, or should the treatment fail to effect a cure, the Minister may report the circumstances to any justice, whereupon the justice may cause such inquiries to be made as he may think fit, and if in his judgement it appears desirable in the public interest that the addict be committed to an institution for treatment, he may make such order as he may see fit for the detention and treatment of such person in any hospital, jail or place of detention in the Province. R.S., c. 307, s. 4.

Duty of institution

5 Every hospital, jail or place of detention designated by regulations of the Governor in Council in that behalf shall make effective provision for the examination, treatment and detention of such addicts as may be committed to such institution by any justice. R.S., c. 307, s. 5.

REGULATIONS

Orders and regulations

6 The Governor in Council may make any such orders and regulations as he may see fit for carrying out this Act and for giving effect to the general project. R.S., c. 307, s. 6.

PENALTIES

Penalty

7 Every person who contravenes this Act, or any order or regulation made thereunder, or wilfully neglects or disobeys any order or direction lawfully given by the Minister or any justice duly authorized in that behalf shall incur a penalty of not less than five dollars nor more than fifty dollars, and in default of immediate payment shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding three months.. R.S., c. 307, s. 7.

Summary Proceedings Act

8 The Summary Proceedings Act shall apply to prosecutions under this Act or any orders or regulations made hereunder. R.S., c. 307, s. 8.

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