Zhou Yonghong responded to the KMT’s accusation: Cleaning needle services have a clear purpose of epidemic prevention and do not mean encouraging drug abuse

Zhou Yonghong said that the supply of clean needles has a clear purpose of epidemic prevention, and the Taichung City Government is also doing it. The public cannot mistakenly think that this is encouraging drug abuse. (Photo by reporter Cai Shuyuan)

Shen Boyang, the Taipei mayoral candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party, was accused by the Kuomintang of "equating drugs and medicines" for his article published 12 years ago. Zhou Yonghong, the chief convener of the Taichung City Council caucus of the Democratic Progressive Party, said today (4th) that Jiang Wanan yesterday targeted Shen Boyang's past drug abuse. The product policy article asked not to cover up the methadone plan. Since Jiang Wanan emphasized that the two are different, they should clearly explain it to the public and clearly support the current clean injection and methadone treatment. Lu Xiuyan and Jiang Qichen were asked to express whether they agreed with Jiang Wanan’s statement.

In response, the Taichung City Government said, "There is no response."

Zhou Yonghong pointed out, "The mayor of the capital cannot just leave slogans attacking his opponents, but leave the people's doubts about harm-reducing medical treatment to the frontline personnel!" He said that drug addiction is a disease that needs to be treated, and drug trafficking should be investigated in accordance with the law. Cleaning needle services are to prevent people who have not yet given up drug addiction from sharing common causes. If needles are used to contract HIV and other blood-borne diseases, the official website of the Taichung City Health Bureau announced the locations of health education consultation stations, automatic needle service machines, and recycling bins. "Providing clean needles has a clear purpose of epidemic prevention. The Taichung City Government is also doing this. The public must not mistakenly think that this is encouraging drug abuse."

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Zhou Yonghong said that methadone maintenance treatment is evaluated by medical personnel to help heroin and other opioid addicts reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, stabilize their lives and continue to receive treatment. There are also medication services in Taichung. "Cleaning needles reduces the risk of infection, and methadol assists in addiction treatment. Both measures have their own purposes, and they must be explained clearly. The words "drugs" and "needles" cannot be used to make people panic. "

Zhou Yonghong requested that Jiang Wanan clearly express his support for the current harm reduction services, and Lu Xiuyan should also speak out for the policies and frontline personnel being promoted by the city government. "Searching for drugs, protecting campuses, and assisting with addiction treatment, all must be implemented. Politicians compete for elections and cannot let the patients who seek help and the medical teams who save lives pay the price."

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