Health Minister Shih Chung-liang is defending the government's drug
harm-reduction program against mounting political criticism, stressing that
it does not involve supplying illicit drugs in communities.

Shih is also calling for the privacy of people seeking addiction treatment to
be protected.

The calls come came as drug policy has become a flashpoint in the Taipei
mayoral race.

Methadone maintenance treatment and clean-needle distribution are at the
center of dispute between incumbent K-M-T Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and the
D-P-P's mayoral candidate Puma Shen.

Speaking at a hearing of the Legislative Social Welfare and Environmental
Hygiene Committee, Shih said recent political rhetoric has distorted public
understanding of the drug harm-reduction program.

Shih stressed that the Ministry of Health does not support legalizing
cannabis and has no plans to adopt a model involving the direct provision of
illicit drugs in communities.

He also insisted that the health ministry's drug harm-reduction policy is
evidence-based and focuses on needle-exchange programs and methadone
treatment.