Shen Boyang accepted a joint interview before Zhao Shaokang's exclusive interview. (Photo by reporter Gan Menglin)
Shen Boyang, the Taipei mayoral candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party, pointed out in the "Shaokang War Room" live show hosted by Zhao Shaokang today (7th) that he does not promote the decriminalization of drugs and does not support the legalization of marijuana. He quoted Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan's speech when he was a legislator: "Forcing drug addicts to seek medical treatment cannot fundamentally solve the problem. The focus is on treatment."
Zhao Shaokang asked about your opinion on the legalization of drugs and marijuana? Shen Boyang concluded at the beginning, emphasizing that he did not want to promote the decriminalization of drugs, nor did he support the legalization of marijuana. He pointed out that when he posted an article on the "Think Forum" in 2014, he was still a doctoral student. At that time, he proposed three options A, B, and C. In the end, he supported option C. Now everyone is discussing community treatment, which is option B. Many drug addicts in the world are infected with AIDS. Therefore, various countries have introduced clean needles, and after identifying drug addicts, they can refer them to harm reduction treatment. This is what the Taipei City Government is doing now, and it should not be an offensive or defensive issue.
Zhao Shaokang asked, was there no mention of methadone in the article at that time? The article printed by Shen Boyang pointed out that Plan B is to assist and control drug addicts, and methadol is a less addictive alternative drug. Moderator Qian Yijun asked, after reading the article, I understand that Plan B refers to the decriminalization of drugs, but Plan C refers to the decriminalization of drugs as too radical. "At least we can follow the example of other countries in establishing community centers to provide drug users with drugs and clean needles." Then social workers intervene. Is it easy for people to think that they are in favor of Plan B? Has Shen Boyang's stance changed?
Shen Boyang said that Plan B is to decriminalize drugs. If the crime cannot be decriminalized, what to do next is still Plan B; but he concluded that Plan C is to find out the reasons for drug abuse and solve them. He feels that the words are a bit exaggerated. Drug trafficking is definitely a crime. No one will say that drug trafficking must be decriminalized. This is impossible. But for drug abuse, he wants to To cite two sentences, "Forcing drug addicts to seek medical treatment will not solve the problem. The focus is on treatment." "Currently, the effect of directly sending people to prison for drug rehabilitation is not effective. The focus is on education." These two sentences were both said by Jiang Wanan in the Legislative Yuan. He also agreed. Both sides believe that treatment is important, including harm reduction measures such as methadone.
Zhao Shaokang asked, how to solve the serious problems of drugs entering schools and drug driving in Beishi City? Shen Boyang said that the campus drug harm reduction policy was proposed last week. First of all, it is now more difficult to screen, and it must become a hotspot for enforcement. For example, if there are sales hotspots near the campus, the police will take stock first. Secondly, what all countries are doing is to teach children how to refuse. The current method requires 12 classes, and 70% of them are When it comes to resolving stress, 30% is about how to refuse. It is very important to have a way to refuse after introducing relevant programs. Furthermore, how to find out children who have taken drugs? There is now a program called SBIRT. This does not use saliva, but uses questionnaires to identify and refer these people, and then enter the harm reduction measures.
Zhao Shaokang asked, do you support the legalization of marijuana? Shen Boyang said that this is a hot topic in the field of criminology. At that time, he guided students to write papers and concluded that Taiwan was not suitable. First of all, Taiwan now has a serious stigma against drugs and does not understand the treatment process. The hasty legalization label is even stronger. Moreover, without good supporting facilities, everywhere has become a drug addict.
