I have worked as a family doctor for a few years before moving to public health. As a medical doctor, we not only need to tell patients how risky their behaviours are but also provide harm reduction advice. In public health we are not just thinking about one patient, we are planning for whole populations. But by criminalising it outright, the government loses an opportunity of harm reduction and to protect its population. So if you expect a population to follow your advice, you need to be professional, truthful, and unpartisan and respect their concerns.

Source: The Express Tribune November 29, 2020 03:45 UTC