Human Rights and Drugs - The ethics and effectiveness of coerced treatment of people who use drugs
Forums:
Human Rights and Drugs, Volume 2, No. 1, 2012
Original Article
The ethics and effectiveness of coerced treatment of people who use drugs
Alex Stevens, PhD*ABSTRACT
In the context of international debates about ways to reduce the harms related to the use of illicit drugs and their control, this article explores the specific issue of coerced treatment of people who use drugs. It uses established standards of human rights and medical ethics to judge whether it is ethical to apply either of two types of coerced treatment (compulsory treatment and quasi-compulsory treatment, or QCT) to any of three groups of drug users (non-problematic users, dependent drug users and drug dependent offenders). It argues that compulsory treatment is not ethical for any group, as it breaches the standard of informed consent. Quasi- compulsory treatment (i.e. treatment that is offered as an alternative to a punishment that is itself ethically justified) may be ethical (under specified conditions) for drug dependent offenders who are facing a more restrictive penal sanction, but is not ethical for other people who use drugs. The article also briefly reviews evidence which suggests that QCT may be as effective as voluntary treatment.
Read more: http://www.humanrightsanddrugs.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IJHRDP-V2N...
alkieanon
Thu, 05/03/2012 - 18:46
Permalink
Abolition of ASBOs
Wonder if the author is in favor of the abolition of ASBOs.
JR Harris
Thu, 05/03/2012 - 19:50
Permalink
Nice try at derailing
ABSOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Order) are only valid in the UK and are "CIVIL" not "LEGAL" actions. Good attempt a derailing though by injecting an unrelated acronym and not explaining it. Now step along...
"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.
alkieanon
Thu, 05/03/2012 - 20:03
Permalink
Human Rights
JR Harris says: "Good attempt a derailing though by injecting an unrelated acronym and not explaining it. Now step along..."
Had to dig deeper for the acronym? So "human rights" don't matter?
JR Harris
Thu, 05/03/2012 - 20:12
Permalink
"Human Rights and Drugs"
Nice 2nd try with the Ad Hominem and picking up on the Human rights angle, and then asking a question in the form of a statement where if you do not answer it is assumed you don't care about human rights. Bravo- good try - step along now.............
This thread is entitled "Human Rights and Drugs - The ethics and effectiveness of coerced treatment of people who use drugs" and has nothing to do with ABSOs.
"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.
alkieanon
Thu, 05/03/2012 - 20:22
Permalink
The First Two Words of the Thread Matter the Most
The first two words of the thread matter the most: Human Rights.
Toodles.
Ironic
Sun, 05/06/2012 - 17:26
Permalink
I think people should be
I think people should be allowed to use drugs. They just shouldn't be allowed to use drugs and get government aid/food stamps but it's kind of hard to enforce that.
Clara
Sun, 05/06/2012 - 17:31
Permalink
It's a mixed bag. Since
It's a mixed bag. Since moving to Texas and hearing more and more about the cartels in Juarez, I think marijuana should get more of a look at decriminalization. That's 50% of the profit for the Sinaloa cartel. It doesn't curtail the drug transport through our city, but it would lower it. I am not sure about the rest, Ironic.
Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.
Pennywise
Sun, 05/06/2012 - 17:42
Permalink
Given that law is what it is
Given that law is what it is and weed is currently illegal in Texas (and everywhere in the USA under federal law), what do you think should happen to people who possess, say, under an once of pot?
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."