Drug addiction has long ceased to be a personal problem – it is a social illness that destroys families, friendships, and entire lives.
While some people recognize their condition and seek rehabilitation voluntarily, others are unable or unwilling to take that step. For them, society – and the state – must intervene.
In Azerbaijan, authorities have intensified efforts to combat addiction and reintegrate former users into society.
But when does drug dependence move from a personal choice to a public danger that warrants state intervention? And does Azerbaijan allow court-ordered, compulsory treatment for addicts who refuse medical help?
The issue is governed by a Cabinet of Ministers decree titled “On the Conditions and Rules for Compulsory Treatment in Specialized Medical Institutions.”
Under this regulation, compulsory treatment of individuals suffering from drug addiction can only be carried out by court order and in specialized medical facilities.
Recent amendments clarify that the execution of court decisions on forced treatment – whether concerning convicts serving non-custodial sentences, individuals ordered to undergo medical rehabilitation for alcoholism or drug dependence, or citizens placed under administrative arrest and requiring addiction therapy – is supervised by a judicial enforcement officer.
The framework seeks to balance human rights with public safety – recognizing addiction as an illness, not a crime, yet one that sometimes requires decisive intervention to save both the patient and those around them.
