Combating New Drugs: KMT Legislator Criticizes Ministry of Justice's 20-Page Report Concluding with 'Please Reconsider'

KMT legislator Wu Tsung-hsien has sharply criticized the Ministry of Justice for its perceived inaction and inadequate response to the escalating crisis of new synthetic drugs. During a legislative session reviewing amendments to the "Drug Hazard Prevention Act," Wu pointed out that the ministry submitted a 20-page report whose conclusion, repeated 15 times, was a mere "Please reconsider." This was in response to multiple legislative proposals aimed at tackling the drug problem.

Wu questioned the ministry's approach, accusing it of blocking legislative progress while offering no alternative solutions. He argued that the issue extends beyond criminal law amendments, questioning whether the government treats the rampant drug driving caused by new synthetic drugs as a "public risk." He cited the ministry's consistent "Please reconsider" response to proposals such as establishing emergency bans on new drugs, criminalizing the use of third-tier drugs, increasing fines, and enhancing penalties for drug suppliers and precursor chemicals.

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Don't use 'please reconsider' to cover up governance incompetence.

The legislator stressed the need for proactive governance, urging the government to act preemptively when data from hospital emergency rooms, toxicology tests, police seizures, and school reports show abnormal increases. He advocated for integrating early warning systems, harm reduction, treatment, and law enforcement into a unified governance framework, rather than relying solely on post-incident penalties.

Wu demanded that the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior provide specific written reports within two weeks on several key areas. These include scientific validation data for saliva drug test kits, addressing accuracy and false positive/negative risks, and the mechanism for follow-up confirmation tests. He also called for an assessment of threshold settings for etomidate and other new synthetic drugs, and an evaluation of current police equipment and needs for high-risk drug-driving interdiction patrols, including protective gear and vehicle interception devices.

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The Ministry of Justice's response to most legislative proposals is 'Please reconsider.' This allows risks to remain on the streets, forcing frontline police officers and innocent road users to bear the risks and consequences.