Prosecutors speak out on drug harm reduction policies, emphasizing that assistance with drug addiction is a medical and public health issue

Shen Boyang's previous discussion of drug harm reduction policies has been revealed again recently. The government and opposition parties have continued to fight against it, and the judicial practice community has also been discussing it. A prosecutor who has been a prosecutor for more than 15 years and has handled thousands of drug abuse cases posted a message on a private social platform. He pointed out that if drug addicts cannot effectively quit their addiction, it may lead to the spread of AIDS through shared needles, a waste of national manpower, family disability, and the rights of minor children, which will cost society even more. Therefore, we cannot avoid how to effectively help drug addicts quit drug addiction and return to society.

The controversy originated from Shen Boyang's article 12 years ago about foreign drug harm reduction systems, which mentioned setting up community centers to provide drug users with drugs and clean needles. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan questioned Shen's claims and believed that the two should not be confused with methadone replacement therapy. Shen said that he was introducing foreign harm reduction measures and explained with policies such as methadone and clean needles, emphasizing that the purpose of harm reduction was to involve medical resources, not to encourage drug abuse.

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The prosecutor said that he had been a prosecutor for more than 15 years and had handled thousands of drug abuse cases. If drug addicts cannot be effectively assisted in detoxification, not only may needles and needles be shared because they cannot afford to buy drugs, causing the spread of AIDS, but it may also consume national human resources, even cause family dysfunction and harm the rights of minor children. Therefore, we cannot avoid studying how to help addicts truly detoxify and return to society.

He bluntly said, "The roughest way to solve a problem may not be the most effective." Just like using a cane to stipulate "one less point and a beating", it is impossible for the whole class to be admitted to the National Taiwan University Medical School. How to effectively help addicts get rid of drug addiction is not purely a legal issue in nature, but is mainly a professional domain in the medical and public health fields.

The prosecutor also shared a study compiled in 2015 by the Judicial Officers Academy of the Ministry of Justice. This study was conducted more than 10 years ago to explore drug addicts' cognition and attitudes towards methadone maintenance therapy, heroin-assisted therapy and safe injection rooms from the perspective of "harm reduction".

Studies have pointed out that although methadol is addictive, an appropriate dose can relieve drug addicts' cravings and withdrawal symptoms, help restore cognitive functions, and return to normal life. On the other hand, it can also reduce drug use and needle sharing, and prevent infectious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis C.

☆One less drug means more health, Liberty Times reminds you to stay away from drugs☆