A review of compulsory drug treatment: The recommendations for the Civil Code of Türkiye and National Anti-Drug Action Plan

Despite the fact that compulsory drug treatment has been common and systematic practice in many countries, there has been little systematic evaluation and scientific evidence on the effectiveness of compulsory drug treatment. Moreover, the available limited data, does not always suggest positive or improved outcomes. As far as Turkish law is concerned, compulsory drug treatment can be implemented and enforced in two different ways: compulsory sentence-based treatment through the order of criminal courts and court- mandated treatment through the order of civil courts. The compulsory drug detention and rehabilitation centres also raise concern over human rights, as the detainment or deprivation of liberty for treatment sometimes takes place without due process, legal safeguards or judicial review. International consensus now requires comprehensive and integrated voluntary services implemented in the community which are person-centred and include drug addiction treatment, harm reduction and social support services. In the light of UNODC Practical Planning and Implementation Guide, this article recommends that meeting the various needs of people involved in drug requires developing and putting into practice a variety of methods and a multi-agency response. Such responses personalized to the needs of individual need to be implemented through multi-purpose centers. For these purposes, by taking into account current research evidence and concerns over human rights, Turkish Civil Code needs to be amended in a way that allows operation of the private and public multi-purpose centers, oversees, and regulates all phases of the treatment from early identification to social integration in such centers.