Jianqing's review quoted Ko Wenzhe's quote of "treating drug addicts as patients, not prisoners" to counter Huang Guochang's criticism that the prosecutor's decision to grant drug-related prosecutors deferred prosecution was a "cover-up to hide their ugliness." (File photo)
Prosecutor surnamed Liu from the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office was granted deferred prosecution because he was a first-time drug offender and had a good attitude. However, Huang Guochang, chairman of the People's Party, criticized the prosecutor for covering up the scandal and allowing people to go to the village safely. The prosecutor reform group "Jianqing Correction" today stated that deferred prosecution addiction treatment still requires medical treatment at one's own expense and regular urine tests. It angrily denounced Huang as "either stupid and ignorant, or maliciously inciting confrontation", and quoted Ko Wenzhe's quote "Treat drug addicts as patients, not prisoners" to counterattack.
Jianqing's review pointed out that when Ko Wenzhe attended the "Polaris Anti-Drug Project and Taipei City Drug Harm Prevention Center" press conference in June 2018, he said: "Because I am a doctor, we will look at things from a different perspective. Everyone must change their mindset and regard drug addicts as 'patients' instead of 'prisoners.'"
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In August of the same year, Ke attended the "Addiction and Drunk Driving Medical Intervention Event" and once again emphasized that alcohol and drug addicts should not be treated simply as prisoners, but as patients, as long-term effects will be better. It is useless to rely solely on the judiciary or the police to arrest people for addiction problems. The relapse rate is still high after being released. Health, social affairs, justice, police and medical units must jointly intervene to reduce recidivism through medical treatment. In this way, Jianqing's review called on Huang Guochang to follow Ke's ideas and return to "scientific rationality and pragmatism."
In response to Huang Guochang's criticism of deferred prosecution and addiction treatment as "safety", Jianqing said, "If he is not stupid and ignorant, he is maliciously inciting confrontation." The statement pointed out that during the period of deferred prosecution supervision, the defendant must pay for outpatient services at his own expense, regularly report to the supervisor, and have urine tests. If he violates the rules, he will face revocation of deferred prosecution, observation of rehabilitation, or imprisonment. It does not mean that he will be fine if he is granted deferred prosecution.
Jianqing said that the policy of deferred prosecution for addiction treatment has been implemented for more than 18 years, and the rate of first-time offenders receiving deferred prosecution for addiction treatment exceeds 70%; if those who are already in prison, in custody, have committed another violent felony, are seriously ill, refuse to appear in court, or refuse to plead guilty, the rate is even closer to 80%. The consideration is whether the defendant expresses his will, agrees to cooperate throughout the entire process, and pays the full amount at his own expense, regardless of occupation, wealth, or rank, "because what addicts need is treatment and has nothing to do with their occupation."
Jianqing's reform question asked why the public health system that increased control and supervision became, in Huang Guochang's words, "covering up ugliness" and "safetying the village"? Is he stupid and ignorant, or is he maliciously attacking the prosecutor and slandering the public health system?
The statement finally emphasized that Taiwan needs crime prevention policies and public health systems that are safer, have better medical and human rights, and can effectively reduce recidivism rates. Malicious slander, confusion, and attitudes that create opposition and hatred should not be tolerated. Any politician's speech that attempts to intensify hatred and divide society should be condemned, spurned, and "abandoned to the ashes of history."
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