Ethical issues in substance use intervention.

Abstract

This essay offers an overview of some of the ethical questions raised by governmental and medical interventions into drug use. With respect to the former, it begins with the liberal assumption that constraints on free action are to be justified by reference to its deleterious impact on others, but then qualifies that assumption by noting the social requisites of free action. With respect to medical interventions, it focuses on the codes that have been developed for treatment providers and their clients, and explores the ethical underpinnings of several of their central provisions--informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, nondiscrimination, professionalism, and accountability.