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P U B L I C H E A LT H FA C T S H E E T
Human Rights Abuses in the Name of Drug Treatment: Reports From the Field
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Despite the reported deaths of two teenage patients, the reports of adverse effects and widespread condemna-
center still in operation.22,23,24 Methods used to at other tion of such procedures as experimental and unethical.
centers in South Africa include stranding patients in t One treatment center in India runs on the motto
remote areas for three days, or prohibiting them from “changed when chained,” and shackles participants’
talking to, looking at, writing messages to, or touching legs together and loosens links the longer they remain
another person while in treatment.25 drug free.35 Some centers administer drugs that have
been discontinued in Europe due to their adverse
/POFWJEFODFCBTFEBOEFYQFSJNFOUBMUSFBUNFOU effects, while treatment with methadone or buprenor-
t Malaysia’s drug treatment centers are commonly run by phine, both on WHO’s list of essential medicines, is
ex-army personnel, and there are few trained paramed- often not available.36
ics or counselors.26 Treatment is largely military-style t Throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia, “narcolo-
discipline and drills in the hot sun. Methadone, a gists” charged with treating drug and alcohol addiction
proven treatment for opioid dependence, is unavail- administer hypnoid therapies used in Soviet times,
able in most centers.27 Condoms are also unavailable where patients have ampoules or substances injected
in many centers, despite accounts of sexual behavior under the skin and are told that they will explode
among residents and between residents and guards.28 and poison them if they drink or use drugs, or where
t Antiretroviral treatment is not available in most of patients are shown films with subliminal anti-addiction
Vietnam’s treatment centers, although HIV prevalence is messages.37 Prescription of methadone or buprenor-
reported at 75 percent.29 Some centers conduct manda- phine, either for maintenance or detoxification, is
tory HIV testing without informing those tested of their illegal in Russia.
results.30 Treatment of tuberculosis and other oppor-
tunistic infections is also unavailable, except through 'PSDFEMBCPS
bribes, and there is no access to sterile injection equip- t Human rights groups assert that drug treatment cen-
ment despite documented drug use in many centers.31 ters in Vietnam are in reality forced labor camps, with
t Those interned in China’s centers are often offered little inmates required to work long hours under extremely
treatment other than mandated chants such as “drugs harsh conditions38 at far below market wages. Tasks
are bad, I am bad,” long hours of forced labor, and included carrying heavy buckets of water and excre-
military-style drills.32 Private and voluntary treatment ment, hauling clay on their shoulders,39 or making
methods include partial lobotomy through the insertion trinkets for market sale. Those who fail to meet work
of heated needles clamped in place for up to a week to quotas are isolated and punished severely.40
destroy brain tissue thought to be connected to crav- t One study in China found that detained IDUs reported
ings.33 The technique is a variation of a Russian tech- working from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week,
nique in which very cold, rather than heated, rods were performing unpaid factory labor, with the threat of
used to destroy brain tissue.34 This surgery is one for punishment, including beatings, if production quotas
which families save and pay significant money, despite were not met.41
“The Special Rapporteur wishes to recall that, from a human rights perspective, drug dependence should
be treated like any other health care condition. Consequently, he would like to reiterate that denial of
medical treatment and/or absence of access to medical care in custodial situations may constitute cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and is therefore prohibited under international human
rights law. Equally, subjecting persons to treatment or testing without their consent may constitute a vio-
lation of the right to physical integrity. He would also like to stress that, in this regard, States have a posi-
tive obligation to ensure the same access to prevention and treatment in places of detention as outside.”
— Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Geneva, January 14, 2009)
P U B L I C H E A LT H FA C T S H E E T
Human Rights Abuses in the Name of Drug Treatment: Reports From the Field
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P U B L I C H E A LT H FA C T S H E E T
Human Rights Abuses in the Name of Drug Treatment: Reports From the Field
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