Regulations for the treatment and protection of domestic drug addicts have been specified. It appears that the social system necessary for the treatment of drug addicts can be strengthened.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that a partial amendment to the 'Regulations for the Treatment and Protection of Drug Addicts' was decided at the Cabinet meeting held on the 4th.
This amendment was prepared to establish detailed standards for activating the treatment and protection of drug addicts as the amendment to the Narcotic Control Act is set for the 7th. The Ministry has established criteria for the establishment, designation, evaluation, and reassignment of treatment protection institutions, as well as newly established requirements for the development and operation of specialized training, diagnostic tests, and treatment protection.
The Minister and local governors can evaluate treatment protection institutions every three years and reassign them, thus setting detailed evaluation criteria and procedures. Institutions authorized to develop or outsource specialized training for the diagnosis and treatment protection of drug addicts have been defined as national mental hospitals, colleges, universities with relevant departments, and non-profit organizations established for the purpose of addiction treatment, education, and research.
Regulations to activate the treatment protection of drug addicts have also been organized. Additional institutions that can refer for treatment protection have been added, and the criteria for diagnostic tests have been relaxed. After the completion of treatment protection, rehabilitation institutions may be linked to enhance management effectiveness.
Lee Hyung-hoon, Director of Mental Health Policy at the Ministry, noted, 'With this legislative amendment, we expect to enhance the professionalism of drug treatment protection institutions, strengthen treatment capacity, and improve the treatment of addicts and post-management.'