Webinar: Moral Panic and the push for Involuntary treatment

 

The BC Drug Policy working group presents Disinformation, Moral Panic and Involuntary ‘care’ in BC

Date: December 10th, 2025, 11 AM-12 PM Pacific time.

Presented by Patrick McDermott from Hard Law, and Corey Ranger from the Harm Reduction Nurses Association.

Presentation Synopsis: part 1. This presentation will facilitate a foundational understanding of misinformation, disinformation, moral panic, and their power to influence public policy. A special focus will be placed on the role of media and social media. Specific case studies from B.C. and Canada related to involuntary care will be shared as examples and the short session will conclude with concrete strategies to fight moral panic. Presented by Corey Ranger (Corey Ranger RN BN repping as President of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association).

 

Presentation Synopsis Part 2. This presentation details the basic procedures related to involuntary treatment under the BC Mental Health Act, investigative reports uncovering human rights issues, the application of involuntary treatment under the BCMHA to “substance use disorders”, and a decades long prioritization of involuntary treatment over voluntary treatment.

 

Part 2 presented by Hard Law. “H.A.R.D. (Harm Reduction and Decriminalization) Law is a student club based out of the Faculty of Law at the University of Victoria made up of activists, academics, frontline workers, people who use drugs, and people who have quit using drugs. HARD Law’s three main goals are to connect with the community, fill gaps in our education, and help to build more caring and equitable systems, institutions, laws, and policies. We are here to listen, learn, provide support, and amplify the voices of people with lived experience.”

 

To take part, join event on December 10, 11 AM Pacific time: https://sfu.zoom.us/j/88433487745?pwd=0IMkyxgcmu0GGi0xoiUIiqBnPINdTA.1