To Curb Online Drug Trafficking, Legislator Proposes Law Requiring Platforms to Remove Illegal Information

(CNA Taipei, June 30) Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lin Yueh-ching stated today that Taiwan has seen a rise in online drug trafficking in recent years, with criminal groups using social media platforms to spread drug information through coded language and veiled messages to evade detection. She plans to propose amendments to the "Drug Hazard Prevention Act" requiring platform operators to remove illegal content when the competent authority determines it involves drug sales or related information.

As drug-related crimes become increasingly digitized, trafficking groups are using social media, messaging apps, and online games to disseminate drug information through coded language, secret signals, and veiled messages, making it easier for minors to be exposed to drugs. Lin Yueh-ching, along with DPP legislator Chen Pei-yu and others, held a press conference at the Legislative Yuan to announce their proposal to amend the "Drug Hazard Prevention Act," aiming to strengthen online drug governance and establish a digital drug prevention safety net for minors.

Lin Yueh-ching said that drug crime is no longer just a traditional street problem but is evolving towards synthetic drugs and digitalization, posing a common global challenge. Taiwan has also seen an online drug trafficking model in recent years, where criminal groups use social media, messaging apps, and online games to spread drug information, employing coded language and veiled messages to evade detection, posing a greater threat to minors.

Lin Yueh-ching pointed out that she is proposing amendments to the "Drug Hazard Prevention Act" that would require platform operators to legally cooperate by restricting access to or removing content when the competent authority determines that online content involves drug sales, inducement to drug use, or other illegal drug information. This aims to prevent drug information from spreading further through algorithms and becoming an entry point for adolescents to access drugs.

Chen Pei-yu stated that a research report from the National Health Research Institutes indicates that adolescents from disadvantaged families are 3 to 8 times more likely to use drugs than those from general families, and dropouts have an 81 times higher risk of illegal drug use compared to general students. A study by National Health Insurance Administration Director-General Chen Liang-yu found that 78% of addicted adolescents have underlying mental health conditions, primarily Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), followed by depression and anxiety.

Chen Pei-yu noted that most addicted adolescents develop mental health issues first. To alleviate their suffering, or to feel understood and accepted by peers, or to concentrate, they begin to use drugs, without truly understanding the effects or negative consequences of drug use.

Chen Pei-yu emphasized that "prevention is better than cure." The government must intervene early, especially the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which have long-term contact with young people. Instead of just organizing drawing or slogan contests, they should truly invest effort in supporting more vulnerable or high-risk families and intervene early. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 06/30/115

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