Taipei:Medical professionals and social work groups are advocating for harm-reduction drug policies amid a political debate intensified by Taipei mayoral candidates as the Nov. 28 local elections approach.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Taiwan Association of Clinical Psychology and the Association of Taiwan Clinical Psychologists issued a joint statement on Sunday in support of harm-reduction measures such as clean-needle programs and methadone maintenance treatment. They emphasized that methadone treatment specifically targets opioid dependence like heroin addiction, while treating stimulant addictions requires psychological and social interventions.
Previously, the Taiwan Medical Association and the Taiwanese Society of Psychiatry had issued similar statements on October 5, followed by the Taiwan Society for Forensic Clinical Psychology on Saturday. The Taiwan Union of Nurses Association also released a statement on Saturday, asserting that harm-reduction policies do not promote drug use and urging politicians to respect professional expertise to avoid deepening societal divides.
The nursing association called for enhancements in drug prevention and addiction treatment systems across various sectors, emphasizing the need for dignified treatment of individuals with addictions. Meanwhile, the National Union of Social Workers (NUSW) on Friday demanded an apology from opposition Kuomintang lawmaker Lee Yen-hsiu for suggesting that harm-reduction policies could involve social workers distributing drugs.
The NUSW clarified that social workers support drug users in recovery and reintegration, stressing that harm-reduction does not equate to promoting drug use. They urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare to clarify professional responsibilities in drug prevention and harm-reduction programs. Additionally, the Taipei Social Workers Union announced a rally outside Lee's office to demand an apology.
In response, Lee issued a statement on Saturday agreeing with the NUSW on the need for evidence-based anti-drug policies but opposed the idea of community centers providing clean needles and drugs. The political dispute also involves Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's campaign questioning the drug policies proposed by Democratic Progressive Party candidate Puma Shen, who supports existing harm-reduction measures like methadone treatment and needle-exchange programs. Methadone, a Category 2 narcotic in Taiwan, is used medically for heroin dependence under supervision, while needle-exchange programs are implemented as a separate harm-reduction strategy.