Narcotics become progressively addicted. After being exposed to excessive amounts of substances, people are likely to be insolvent, and will resort to stealing, robbery, even kidnapping for ransom, or killing and committing a multitude of crimes. This seriously imposes a threat to social order. Along with the progress of the economy, drugs have become easily accessible. They have caused extensive harm to individuals and families and resulted in tremendous social costs. In the early days, the focus on drug users was solely on criminal charges imposed against them. However, after the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act was implemented on 5/20/1998, people receiving rehabilitation treatments are redefined as ‘offenders with disorders’ rather than the traditional ‘criminals’. Through professional medical treatments, observation, and compulsory abstentions, it is hoped that they can abstain from their addictions.

    In 2005, the Executive Yuan gave directives to integrate resources among medical institutions, social workers, and probation institutes to set up substance prevention meetings and dedicated departments. The Executive Yuan also integrated existing mechanisms to implement various anti-drug measures. The Department of Health (the predecessor of the Ministry of Health and Welfare) was requested to devise a comprehensive substance prevention roadmap (including coercive and voluntary programs) with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission (the predecessor of the National Development Council). Independent rehabilitation centers were set up and the ‘substance prevention’ tasks were enforced.

    In light of the damages narcotics have caused to our residents and social order, the Ministry of Justice was determined to fight against harmful substances; 4 independent rehabilitation centers were set up in the northern, central, southern, and eastern parts of the country. In the form of dedicated institutions, resources in medical institutions, social workers, and counseling services were effectively integrated and work for abstinence treatments in addictions was performed. As directed by the Executive Yuan, on 10/01/2006, the Taiwan Kaohsiung Drug Abuser Treatment Center (hereinafter referred to as “the Center”) was founded at the same location as the Taiwan Kaohsiung Juvenile Detention and Classification House (No.5, Zheng De Xin Cun, Yenchao District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan). The Kaohsiung Second Prison Yenchao district was also built onsite; jointly with the Taiwan Kaohsiung Juvenile Detention and Classification House, correctional services were also put in place. On 1/1/2011, the Agency of Corrections, Ministry of Justice was established; the Center was restructured as the “Kaohsiung Drug Abuser Treatment Center, Agency of Corrections, Ministry of Justice.” To comply with section 1 and 3 of article 27 of the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act- a rehabilitation center can be a facility annexed to a drug abuse treatment center, as of 10/1/2011, male adults who are under the jurisdiction of prosecutors from south of the Chiayi region, and are receiving action observation treatments, will be accommodated at the annexed rehabilitation facility at the Center.

    The Center continues to promote and implement the “The Multiple Drug Treatment Program for Drug Offenders.” We endeavor to assist those offenders to re-evaluate themselves and reestablish their relationships with their families and society. After they are discharged from the Center, we hope they will embrace their communities and are substance-free in the end. We truly hope that the general public will offer support, blessings, and encouragement to every rehabilitated civilian.