Not treating addiction in criminal justice settings violates the 4 ethical principles in medicine
As physicians, we are bound by four ethical principles. Beneficence (acting for the benefit of the patient), nonmaleficence (avoiding the harm of the patient), autonomy (respecting patients’ right to make their own decisions), and justice (fair and equitable treatment of patients). When people think of the ethical principles that guide physicians, “First, do no harm” comes to mind.
Unfortunately, our medical system in the United States is violating all four …
