This undated file photo shows syringes used to inject drugs. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — Amid a recent increase in the number of drug-dependent people, the government is taking steps step to strengthen drug addiction treatment and protection systems by extending the range of financial support from hospital treatment to outpatient treatment.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Thursday that it had issued an advance legislation notice about a partial revision of the regulation designated by a presidential decree on the treatment and protection of drug-dependent people.
This regulation refers to the system in which the public health minister, mayor or governor designates medical institutions for professional treatment of drug addicts and subsidizes the medical expense if such people actually receive treatment at these institutions.
Drug-dependent people can visit and apply for such treatment at these medical institutions for themselves even if they have not been detained as drug offenders.
After going through medical examination and screening by the treatment protection review committee, they can receive financial support for medical expenses.
Given that drug-dependent people’s demand for outpatient treatment is steadily increasing, the ministry will set the ground for the need to support their outpatient treatment by improving the existing hospital treatment-centered system.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
