Scholar: Drug detoxification treatment must be combined with punishment
After Portugal, Oregon and British Columbia implemented drug decriminalization policies, the number of drug-related deaths increased instead of decreasing. Scholars interviewed believe that this shows that decriminalization is not enough to solve the problem of drug addiction.
Dr. Kevin Sabet, chairman of the non-profit organization Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions, said in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao: “I am not optimistic that these reforms can be achieved after given more time. Better results. The problem lies in the drug decriminalization policy itself, not how to implement such policies.”
He cited Oregon as an example, saying that the main challenge faced by Bill 110 is that drug users rarely seek assistance to detoxify voluntarily and there is a lack of drug treatment. Beds lengthen waiting times for treatment, and penalties are too low.
Sabet served as a senior adviser on drug policy to former U.S. President Obama’s administration.
According to a national poll, the most common reason drug addicts give for not receiving drug treatment is that they are not ready to quit. “Most drug addicts resist drug treatment. After removing criminal penalties, there is no reason for them to accept drug treatment.”
The detoxification center has insufficient beds and those seeking help are being turned away.
In addition, there are too few drug treatment beds, resulting in some drug treatment institutions having to turn away drug addicts seeking assistance.
Salazar, director of a drug rehab center in Portland, told the New York Times: “I was talking to a girl the other day, and she was crying and desperate to get treatment. I tried to give her some hope and said, ‘Just keep going. will succeed’, but I knew that was a lie. She was not pregnant and did not qualify for immediate hospitalization. Do I have to tell her that she would have to take injections every day for the next four months?
Call and maybe get a bed?”
In September 2022, a study by Oregon Health and Science University found that the state’s existing drug treatment services can only meet half of local needs. Sabet emphasized that drug ecriminalization policies to effectively promote drug addicts to seek assistance, relevant countries or states “must increase access to drug treatment so that everyone who wants to give up drug treatment can receive treatment as soon as possible.” In addition to the need for more resources for drug treatment services, many law enforcement officials also believe that the policy too much punishment.
It is light and difficult to effectively encourage drug addicts to voluntarily seek drug treatment. In Oregon, people found in possession of drugs face a $100 fine, and there are no enhanced penalties for failure to pay the fine.
Keith Humphreys, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, bluntly stated in an interview that Oregon’s Bill 110, which aims to promote drug addicts to receive drug treatment, “has completely failed.”
“Since the passage of this bill, the number of drug overdose deaths has increased significantly, and the state government cannot expect to wait for the situation to get better.”
According to information released by the Oregon Department of Justice, as of April this year, less than 1% of people had received a prescription from the authorities. After receiving a citation, complete a drug assessment and receive drug treatment as directed. Humphreys said many Oregon voters appear to have begun to oppose Bill 110 because they believe the bill failed to achieve positive results.
Sabet believes that criminal penalties are a necessary part of guiding drug users to receive drug treatment, and “current public opinion supports the repeal of some of the contents of Bill 110, and we also expect policymakers to take corresponding actions.”
Sabet suggested expanding the court’s authority to handle drug cases and allowing drug offenders to choose to receive drug treatment instead of incarceration. If treatment is successfully completed, their addiction record will be deleted. Humphries had similar thoughts. He said: “Most drug addicts are also involved in other crimes such as theft, driving offences, assault and burglary.
When the courts deal with these cases, these drug offenders should be given a choice between jail and drug treatment.” Humphrey “I view drug addiction as a disease, but I also believe they should be held accountable for their decisions, including being punished if they cause harm,” Si explained.
Here is the original article.