Is there a role for coercive treatment in the management of addiction in Australia?

摘要

In October 2010, the Victorian Parliament passed the Severe Substance Dependence Treatment Act no. 43 of 2010, which replaced the Alcoholics and Drug-Dependent Persons Act 1968.' The objectives of this Act are: 'to provide for the detention and treatment of persons with a severe substance dependence where this is necessary to save the person's life or prevent serious damage to the person's health' and 'to enhance the capacity of those persons to make decisions about their substance use and personal health, welfare and safety'.It is stipulated that 'detention and treatment is a consideration of last resort' and 'that any limitations on the human rights and any interference with the dignity and self-respect of a person who is the subject of any actions authorised under this Act are kept to the minimum necessary to achieve the objectives specified'.