Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
But according to the experts, such a policy would sound plausible for legitimate products, but it ignores the widespread use of MDMA and the nature of underground markets.
It used to be thought that illegal or black markets supported the theory that demand dictates supply, rather than the opposite. Ma's remarks appear to show a blind spot as far as the eradication of drugs is concerned, which perhaps reflects a lack of research on the part of the city government about the demand for MDMA.
At a press conference held two weeks ago to publicize a survey conducted by the Eastern Multimedia Marketing Survey Center(東森民調中心) and the Crime Correction Foundation (犯罪矯正發展基金會) on MDMA use, researchers noted that the policy of dealing with illegal drugs from the supply side has proven ineffective.
The drug business, even though it may result in death, attracts adventurers
They said that high-priced drugs would sustain supply since the profits to be gained would be even more appealing.
They also noted that Taiwan's police prefer to declare their success in drug operations shortly after making arrests.
Frank Huang (
The survey also found that people between the ages of 20 and 29 formed the majority of ecstasy users, while those between the ages of 12 and 19 formed the second-biggest group.
Highly educated people and white collar workers are the most inclined to take MDMA, according to the survey. Users reported taking MDMA mainly for pleasure.
Many pub-goers and disco patrons take it to prolong dancing time and excite their senses. These people are typical fun-seekers. The product's effect, rather than its cost, is their main consideration.
A TV drama actor who often visits pubs and discos said the scene of young people dancing wildly just in front of the loud speakers is common.
"I wondered if they could tolerate the sound without taking MDMA," the actor said.
PREPARATION: Ferry lines and flights were canceled ahead of only the second storm to hit the nation in November, while many areas canceled classes and work Authorities yesterday evacuated more than 3,000 people ahead of approaching Tropical Storm Fung-wong, which is expected to make landfall between Kaohsiung and Pingtung County this evening. Fung-wong was yesterday morning downgraded from a typhoon to a tropical storm as it approached the nation’s southwest coast, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said, as it issued a land alert for the storm. The alert applies to residents in Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Taitung counties, and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春). As of press time last night, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Yilan, Miaoli, Changhua, Yunlin, Pingtung and Penghu counties, as well as Chiayi city and county had
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) yesterday issued a sea alert for Typhoon Fung-wong (鳳凰) as it threatened vessels operating in waters off the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands, 東沙群島), the Bashi Channel and south of the Taiwan Strait. A land alert is expected to be announced some time between late last night and early this morning, the CWA said. As of press time last night, Taoyuan, as well as Yilan, Hualien and Penghu counties had declared today a typhoon day, canceling work and classes. Except for a few select districts in Taipei and New Taipei City, all other areas and city
SELF-DETERMINATION: German lawmakers add earth to an art installation in front of the Reichstag to show that the face of a nation lies with its people, Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan’s future should be decided by Taiwanese, German-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group chairman Till Steffen said yesterday, while giving former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) a tour of the German parliament building. Tsai arrived in Berlin on Sunday and the following day delivered a keynote speech at the Berlin Freedom Conference titled “Threats facing democracies: Taiwan’s experience defending freedom.” Tsai yesterday attended a tea gathering at the Bundestag, joined by former friendship group chairman of 15 years Klaus-Peter Willsch, German defense affairs specialist Roderich Kiesewetter and Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Parliamentary State Secretary Michael Brand. Noting that the
BOOST IN CONFIDENCE: The sale sends a clear message of support for Taiwan and dispels rumors that US President Donald Trump ‘sold out’ the nation, an expert said The US government on Thursday announced a possible sale to Taiwan of fighter jet parts, which was estimated to cost about US$330 million, in a move that an expert said “sends a clear message of support for Taiwan” amid fears that Washington might be wavering in its attitude toward Taipei. It was the first announcement of an arms sale to Taiwan since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. The proposed package includes non-standard components, spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, as well repair and return support for the F-16, C-130 and Indigenous Defense Fighter aircraft,
RSS