How forced drug treatment works in Washington state and what Canada could learn from it

In Washington state, a law known as Ricky’s Law, allows authorities to force people with addiction into treatment. The law is named after Ricky Garcia, whose struggles with drugs and alcohol inspired him and his friend Lauren Davis to push for change.

From emergency room visits to suicide attempts, Davis watched as Garcia went through more than 75 emergency visits in just two years. Davis helped spearhead the state's involuntary treatment law and later went on to become a state lawmaker.

But does forcing someone into treatment actually work?

CBC journalist Julia Wong went to Washington state to find out how the law has been working in practice. In her documentary, Ricky's Law, she speaks to doctors and pa tients who've been through this system. It's a timely conversation as provinces in Canada are considering similar laws.

Plus, a look at how New Brunswick ended up making a two-seater sports car in the 1970s called the Bricklin SV-1.

Reported by Julia Wong. Produced by Kory Siegers and Liz Hoath / Originally aired on The Current.

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit