Strengthening Campus Prevention of 'Zombie Vape' Drugs, Ministry of Education Considers Saliva Screening

Central News Agency, Taipei, June 1. Emerging drugs such as etomidate (commonly known as 'zombie vape') are often disguised as electronic cigarette cartridges, leading to risks of drug abuse and impaired driving. To strengthen campus prevention, the Ministry of Education (MOE) is considering incorporating saliva screening as an auxiliary tool for early risk identification. In a press release issued today, the MOE stated that in addition to implementing anti-drug education, it will cooperate with inter-ministerial investigations and counseling networks to strengthen defenses in environments where students are most likely to be exposed. Focusing on 'identifying risks, early detection, blocking sources, and emphasizing counseling,' the MOE is combining campus advocacy, specific personnel screening, and patrols. For students suspected of drug contact, schools will follow established procedures including urine testing, parental notification, and counseling. The MOE is also working with police to patrol 9,192 hotspots across 3,627 schools nationwide.