Anti-drug efforts require the full collaboration of the government and the general public to succeed, Minister of Justice Luo Ying-shay emphasized today on the Executive Yuan's "Open Mic" YouTube live webcast hosted by Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun.
Luo was invited to discuss the government's drug prevention efforts. She said the nationwide anti-drug mobilization program is promoted precisely to incorporate the general public's strength so that drug use may be completely eliminated in Taiwan through public-private collaboration.
Minister Luo pointed out that in Taiwan the recidivism rate is higher for drug offenses than for any other kind of crime. According to the World Drug Report 2015 released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, as of the end of 2013 approximately one in 20 persons in the 15-64 age group worldwide used illegal drugs. In addition, ROC Ministry of Justice (MOJ) statistics show that as of the end of October 2015, about 47 percent (27,127) of the ROC's 57,517 incarcerated criminals were drug offenders.
In response to netizens' questions regarding instituting complementary measures to deal with drug stench polluting residential apartments, Luo said at present there is technically no equipment that can test or analyze drug odor onsite to serve as evidence. Although the public can ask environmental agency personnel to visit a site, from a legal standpoint, without evidence the police have no right to enter and search any residential apartment.
The minister suggested that when faced with such a situation, households can seek solidarity among community residents to form a "drug hunt" watch group. They can thus help police collect evidence of any suspicious situation, provided their safety is not jeopardized. The prosecutorial agency and police department will definitely and proactively investigate the incident, Luo affirmed. She reiterated that the government will incorporate the Environmental Protection Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Science and Technology and other relevant agencies to formulate more effective ways to protect public safety.
As for drug classifications and legal liabilities, Luo stated that a drug is classified based primarily on its danger to society, its abusiveness and its addictiveness. For example, heroin and cocaine are category one narcotics (the most severe); marijuana, amphetamines, and ecstasy are in category two; ketamine are in category three; and boiled grass with sugar and black pepper as well as smurfs are in category four.
Luo pointed out that the degree of punishment varies according to the drug's category. For instance, use of a category one or two drug is a crime, and even after leaving prison abusers of these drugs will be tracked by local government drug prevention and control centers. Taking a category three drug, on the other hand, merely mandates an administrative fine or education, though a possessor of more than 20 grams of a category three drug could also face criminal charges.
Because more and more people are taking ketamine, the government has allocated more funds to strengthen assistance of juveniles and youths and has also listed category three and four drug abusers as recipients of assistance and oversight by local government drug prevention and control centers. Any drug addicts needing help can call the free hotline 0800-770-885 for quitting assistance.
Regarding netizens' concerns about whether the government has more proactive measures targeting drug abuses, Luo stated that it is very important for those that have not touched drugs to stay away and for those who have taken them to quit. In July this year the Executive Yuan approved an anti-drug national mobilization program, which has come up with many new ideas for preventing and fighting drug abuses. Meanwhile, the MOJ has submitted revisions of the Drug Prevention and Control Act, placing heavier self-management responsibilities on specially permitted businesses. For instance, these businesses must report to the police any suspected drug traffickers or users to curb the widespread use of drugs in these places.
Luo further pointed out that the government is working to develop a more simplified method of urine testing so as to know easily if one has taken drugs. Moreover, the government will strengthen the functions of local drug prevention and control centers, particularly in assistance and oversight. In addition, the MOJ has set up a drug prevention fund to research and develop new methods for quitting drugs or to provide new facilities for those undergoing detoxification. It has also established a cross-ministerial website for anti-drug campaigns to make the public aware of drugs' harms to physical and mental health, and help drug addicts know where to seek aid and resources.
The webcast, which ran from 7 p.m. to 8:10 p.m., can be viewed in its entirety on the Executive Yuan's YouTube channel at https://goo.gl/FYnujT.