Medical professionals, social workers speak up amid drug policy dispute

Taipei, Oct. 11 (CNA) Medical and social work groups have voiced support for drug harm-reduction policies amid a political debate fueled largely by Taipei mayoral candidates ahead of the Nov. 28 local elections.

On Sunday, the Taiwan Association of Clinical Psychology and the Association of Taiwan Clinical Psychologists issued a joint statement supporting harm-reduction measures, including clean-needle programs and methadone maintenance treatment.

However, the statement noted that methadone treatment applies to opioid dependence, such as heroin addiction. Treating addictions involving stimulants such as amphetamines, meanwhile, depends on the availability, continuity and quality of psychological and social interventions, including contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy.

The statement followed similar statements issued by the Taiwan Medical Association and the Taiwanese Society of Psychiatry on Oct. 5, and the Taiwan Society for Forensic Clinical Psychology on Saturday.

The Taiwan Union of Nurses Association also issued a statement Saturday, emphasizing that harm-reduction policies do not encourage drug use. It urged politicians to respect professional expertise and avoid sending unclear messages that could deepen social divisions.

The nursing association also called on the government to strengthen drug prevention and addiction treatment systems across the medical, nursing, psychological, social work, education and judicial sectors, while ensuring that people with addiction are treated with dignity.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Social Workers (NUSW) on Friday called on opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker Lee Yen-hsiu (李彥秀) to apologize for suggesting earlier that day that a harm-reduction policy discussed by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen (沈伯洋) could involve social workers distributing drugs in communities.

The union said social workers help people who use drugs recover and reintegrate into society. Echoing the medical community, it stressed that harm-reduction does not mean encouraging drug use or supplying drugs, and called on public figures to speak responsibly.

The NUSW also urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare to explain the division of responsibilities among professionals involved in Taiwan's drug prevention and harm-reduction programs.

The Taipei Social Workers Union called for a rally outside Lee's office on Monday morning to demand an apology.

In a statement issued Saturday, Lee said she "completely agreed" with the NUSW that effective anti-drug policies should be based on scientific evidence, cross-professional cooperation and a comprehensive social support system.

However, she said she "firmly opposed establishing a community center to provide drug users with clean needles and drugs, and incorporating social worker support."

The dispute has centered on Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安), whose campaign questioned whether Shen's position on drugs and his proposed policies would encourage drug abuse. Shen responded that he supports harm-reduction measures, including methadone treatment and needle-exchange programs, which are already in place in Taipei.

Methadone is classified as a Category 2 narcotic in Taiwan but also has legitimate medical uses. Administered orally under medical supervision, it is used to treat heroin dependence. Needle-exchange programs are a separate harm-reduction measure.