If a person exposes their mental or physical health to danger with extensive drug/alcohol abuse, the County Social Welfare Board (Board) may make a decision for compulsory placement in an appropriate institution for up to 3 months. Such measures can only be implemented if voluntary assistance measures, such as follow-up by the municipal drug and alcohol abuse service, or voluntary treatment in an institution, have been unsuccessful. The board must also find that placement by force in an institution is reasonable and necessary.
This ruling is meant for the heavily affected drug/alcohol abusers. The preparatory texts of the law states, ”there are no reasons to implement this rule unless there is a tangible reason to believe that, in a period of no longer than three months, one can manage to do something which has a positive meaning for the client."