Taiwan social workers demand apology over drug distribution claims

The National Federation of Social Workers Associations has demanded a public apology from Legislator Li Yen-hsiu following her claims that social workers might distribute drugs in communities. The federation issued a statement clarifying that social workers are professionals focused on addiction prevention, psychosocial support, and social reintegration, rather than drug providers. They emphasized that harm reduction strategies do not equate to encouraging drug use or providing drugs arbitrarily.

Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare, Shih Chung-liang, also addressed the controversy, stating that harm reduction programs do not encourage drug use and certainly do not require social workers to distribute drugs. He clarified that the program involves various professionals and includes services such as clean needle provision, methadone maintenance therapy, and infection screening. Shih urged that political rhetoric should not distort or interfere with the implementation of these essential public health initiatives.