Today, I am reaching out to formally request that Saskatchewan consider adopting Madi’s Law at the provincial level. A copy of the email is below. 

Dear Lori Carr,

My name is Louise Carter, and I am writing to request your assistance in advancing Madi’s Law at the provincial level.

Madi’s Law was inspired by the tragic death of my 27-year-old daughter on April 13, 2021, in Kitchener, Ontario. She died by suicide after experiencing paradoxical suicidal ideation caused by psychotropic medication prescribed to help her. Her death devastated our family, and I have since dedicated myself to advocating for safer prescribing practices so that other families do not endure the same loss.

The federal petition for Madi’s Law, sponsored by MP Todd Doherty, was tabled in the House of Commons on November 3, 2023 (Petition No. 441-01652). While it has received attention, it has not progressed. I have been encouraged to pursue this initiative at the provincial level.

Madi’s Law proposes a mandatory psychotropic drug safety waiver requiring that a designated caregiver be notified when a patient is prescribed a psychotropic medication for the first time. The caregiver would help monitor the patient until the medication is deemed safe and stable. Many patients must try several antidepressants or other psychotropic medications before finding one that works, and adverse reactions during this process can include suicidal ideation, violent behavior, or drug-induced psychosis.

This proposal reflects a commonsense safeguard. In Canada, patients are already required to have caregiver support following surgeries and other medical procedures. Given the serious risks that can accompany psychotropic medications, a similar precautionary system could save lives. A pill can be just as dangerous as a loaded gun when adverse reactions occur.      I have worked diligently to raise awareness, including launching a Change.org petition, participating in interviews with CTV and CBC, speaking on a podcast with Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, and contributing an article featured on antidepressantrisks.org under “Stolen Lives.”

I would be deeply grateful for the opportunity to discuss this further and explore how we might move this initiative forward. My goal is to create meaningful change in my daughter’s memory so that her death is not in vain.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,

Louise Carter