Thu, May 28, 2026 page8

• EDITORIAL: Drug-driving is a growing issue

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  Three people have died and two people were injured in separate drug-impaired driving incidents over the past week. In New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District, a driver allegedly under the influence of etomidate-laced vape products hit and killed a motorcyclist. In Changhua County, a driver crashed into a residence, killing a father and daughter while reportedly under the influence of multiple narcotics.

  The Ministry of Transportation and Communications last month said that it has been receiving a growing number of reports of drug-impaired driving, adding many cases could have gone undetected.

  The ministry has designated drug-impaired driving as the top road safety threat this year, on a par with drunk driving as an enforcement priority.

  Drunk driving was once ministry’s most serious concern. Fatalities and injuries caused by drunk driving peaked in 2011 at 24,980 cases. Since then, stricter penalties, more aggressive enforcement by local governments and sustained public awareness campaigns reduced the figure to 8,894 last year, a 64 percent decline, the ministry said.

  To address drug-impaired driving, the ministry and the National Police Agency in November last year introduced a saliva-based rapid drug-testing system. Drivers who refuse to take the test face fines of up to NT$180,000 (US$5,729).

  The measures reflect an acknowledgment by authorities that drug use is an increasing threat to road safety. However, stronger efforts are needed to prevent people from driving under the influence in the first place, particularly etomidate.

  Etomidate is a hospital anesthetic that has proliferated in Taiwan through illegal vape cartridges known colloquially as “zombie vapes.” When abused, it can cause confusion, hallucinations, blackouts, muscle spasms and severely impaired coordination — all of which make it especially dangerous for drivers.

  The drug began spreading widely in 2023 and surged in 2024, particularly among younger users. Authorities say criminal groups have marketed etomidate through vape products as a cheaper and more accessible alternative to marijuana. A rise in fatal crashes and erratic public behavior linked to its use prompted Taiwan to tighten regulations, classify the substance as a more serious narcotic and expand roadside drug testing.

  Crackdowns on vaping in general — following amendments to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (菸害防制法) that took effect in 2023 — have not halted the spread of etomidate. Instead, distribution has shifted to black market channels.

  What is needed is a combination of aggressive public education campaigns targeting young people, early intervention and counseling in schools, and stronger penalties for drug-impaired driving.

  Taiwanese officials and medical professionals have warned that some young users mistakenly perceive vape-based drugs as less harmful than traditional drugs. The government has launched anti-drug exhibitions and awareness campaigns outlining the effects of etomidate — including hallucinations, tremors, blackouts and impaired driving risks — but these efforts might not be reaching high-risk young people.

  In addition, deceptive packaging used for vape products containing etomidate or other illicit substances might be reinforcing false perceptions of safety. Such products are often designed with bright, playful aesthetics that obscure their risks.

  Under Article 185-3 of the Criminal Code, drivers found to be using drugs such as etomidate can face fines of up to NT$300,000 for drug-impaired driving. Repeat offenses causing death can carry penalties of up to NT$3 million. In practice, offenders are often fined at or near the lower end of the penalty range.

  Lawmakers should consider introducing mandatory minimum prison sentences for all drug-impaired driving offenses. Such penalties could be paired with compulsory education programs in which offenders are exposed to the consequences of impaired driving, including testimonies from victims’ families.

  Schools should be empowered to spot-test students suspected of vaping on campus. Those who test positive could be referred to counseling and rehabilitation programs rather than exclusively punitive measures. Early intervention could help ensure young people understand the seriousness of drug use before it escalates into addiction or criminal behavior.

  Some researchers and officials have argued that Taiwan needs broader anti-drug education campaigns focused on emerging synthetic substances such as etomidate, as many programs still focus on older narcotics and might not adequately address new patterns of use among younger demographics.

  Ultimately, Taiwan’s challenge is not only enforcement, but perception. As long as drug-laced vapes are seen as a “softer” or less dangerous form of drug use, they are going to continue to circulate among vulnerable users and find their way onto the roads. Closing that perception gap — through coordinated education, consistent enforcement and visible deterrence — is as urgent as any legislative reform.
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