Episode 54: Get Sober or Get Dead

Episode 54: Get Sober or Get Dead

From Crackdown by Crackdown Productions

June 4, 2025 · 49 min

About this episode

The episode explores the controversial practice of involuntary drug treatment in Alberta through the story of a mother and her son.

Alberta is the involuntary treatment capital of Canada. Since 2006, the province has encouraged parents to waive their children’s rights and force them into detox as part of the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act. And in the coming months, Alberta will begin involuntarily detaining adults as well. On episode 54, Crackdown producer Alex de Boer travels to Edmonton to meet Angie Staines and her son Brandon Shaw. When Brandon got wired as a young teen, Angie had a difficult choice to make: should she force Brandon to sober up? And what would happen to their relationship if she did? Share Post reddit Email

People in this episode

Host: Alex de Boer

Guests: Angie Staines, Brandon Shaw

Topics covered

  • involuntary treatment
  • drug detox
  • parenting
  • addiction
  • family relationships

Keywords

  • involuntary treatment
  • addiction
  • detox
  • parenting
  • Alberta
  • drug laws
  • family dynamics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Crackdown Productions

Places: Alberta, Canada, Edmonton

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