Youth Involuntary Detoxification
- Call 911 or go directly to your nearest emergency department.
- Call or Text 988 for the Suicide & Mental Health Crisis Line.
- Call HealthlLine 811 for 24/7 confidential mental health and addictions support.
- Text CONNECT to 686868 or call 1‑800‑668‑6868 to reach Kids Help Phone.
Youth Involuntary Detoxification provides short- term intensive support for youth whose substance use places them at serious risk. These services are all involuntary and are used when voluntary supports have not been enough to keep a young person safe. The longest a patient can be on the Youth Detox Unit is 15 days based on the Youth Drug Detoxification and Stabilization Act.
Service locations
SHA Facility
Non-SHA Facility
Multiple Services
This service may be considered when a youth:
- is experiencing severe drug and/or alcohol addiction or abuse;
- is at risk of serious harm to themselves or someone else;
- needs a safe setting to support detoxification and stabilization;
- needs a doctor's assessment to determine the next step in care
Involuntary detox is intended as a last resort, not a first step. Families are encouraged to seek voluntary help through local addictions services, a doctor, crisis support, or an emergency department.
A youth may be brought for assessment in one of these ways:
- through a doctor or emergency department
- through police in an urgent situation if there is immediate risk of serious harm; or
- by applying to Provincial Court for a warrant. A parent, youth worker, or someone with a close personal relationship to the youth may apply.
For more information, please contact the Mental Health and Addictions Intake Line nearest you.
After assessment, the youth may:
- be released if the legal criteria are not met;
- receive services in the community for up to 30 days under a community order; or
- be admitted to a secure detoxification facility for up to 5 days, with the possibility of renewals to a maximum of 15 days.
This is a provincial service eligible for youth across Saskatchewan.
The secure youth facility is located at:
Youth Detox, Regina General Hospital
1440 - 14th Avenue, Level 4A
Regina, SK S4P 0W5
Phone: 306-766-3485
For parents and caregivers
- This process is for severe situations only.
- It is for detoxification and stabilization, not involuntary long-term treatment.
- Ongoing treatment after discharge is generally voluntary.
- Parents receive written notice if an order is made
Youth rights
Youth have the right to:
- be told why they were apprehended or detained;
- get help from an official representative free of charge;
- receive a copy of their order
- appeal to a Review Panel; and
- appeal to the Review Panel's decision to the Court of King's Bench
