Applying global lessons from limerick: Insights for Taiwan's drug policy development.

Abstract

This letter responds to Duopah et al.'s study on illicit drug use in Limerick City, drawing parallels with Taiwan's experiences in drug policy development and highlighting lessons from other countries with advanced harm reduction policies, including Portugal and Switzerland. The application of Kingdon's multiple streams model is used to analyse cross-cultural policy development. Taiwan's shift from punitive to health-oriented strategies, such as supervised injection facilities and rehabilitation programs, is explored. This letter emphasises the challenges of stakeholder engagement, particularly in integrating the perspectives of people who use drugs, and discusses the broader implications for international policy adaptation, especially in countries with similar health system challenges. Taiwan's development of multi-tiered interventions and integrated care models serves as an example of evidence-based policymaking. These insights highlight the potential for global cross-cultural learning in drug policy development.