Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday visited the Taipei Drug Abstention and Treatment Center (台北煙毒勒戒所) to encourage the patients there and urge young people not to use drugs.
Accompanied by Vice Minister of Justice Hsieh Wen-ting (謝文定), former minister of justice Liao Cheng-hao (廖正豪) and the Ministry of Justice's (MOJ) Department of Corrections Director Huang Cheng-nan (黃徵男), Lu arrived at the center yesterday morning and joined a karaoke contest.
According to Taipei Detention House warden Chan Jer-feng (
Asked if there was any specific reason for her to visit the center, part of the MOJ's Taipei Detention House in Tucheng, Taipei County, Lu said that, as a vice president, she should pay the center a visit occasionally and encourage its patients to say no to drugs.
"These patients are paying for what they have done. We should encourage them and show our concern. I think it's right for me to do this," she said.
Taking part in the karaoke contest was Hong Kong entertainer William So (蘇永康). So is taking part in a one-month rehabilitation program at the center for allegedly taking Ecstasy at the Texound night club in Taipei City on June 8.
"Irresistible pressure is not an excuse to take drugs. If I can stand on my feet again, I believe that all of you [drugs users] will be able to do the same," So said at the contest.
Lu said she was glad to see So encouraging people not to use drugs and pushing users to quit.
"I think what he did was very brave. For drug users, I hope they can look at So as a role model. If So can face his faults and quit, why can't you?" Lu asked.
So was sent to the center after an investigative hearing at the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office on Aug. 1. However, he never admitted to taking Ecstasy.
"He will be evaluated by medical doctors and psychologists on Monday to determine if he can be freed earlier. But we have no idea when he will be released from the center," said Wei Tsao-bing (魏早炳), So's lawyer.
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