Alberta nurses cannot appeal discipline in drug case: Supreme Court

Two Alberta nurses who fought disciplinary action after they pilfered painkilling narcotics to feed personal drug addictions have been denied a last chance to appeal by the Supreme Court of Canada, which did not give a reason in a statement this morning. 

UNA was disappointed the Supreme Court refused to hear the case but continues to advocate for a positive non-disciplinary approach to mental illnesses such as alcohol and drug addictions. UNA remains concerned that taking a harsh disciplinary approach will make nurses reluctant to seek treatment for their mental illness by self-reporting to their regulatory college. 

Nine out of 10 Registered Nursing Colleges in Canada, with the exception of the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, have already adopted a non-disciplinary approach to dealing with addictions.