Changhua County launches drug‑testing drive to curb drug‑impaired driving

In May‑June, a series of drug‑impaired‑driving crashes in Changhua County caused four deaths and eight injuries. The county government quickly allocated NT$1 million to purchase rapid saliva‑test kits that can detect new psychoactive substances such as etomidate. The Taiwan Rehabilitative Protection Association’s Changhua branch, together with local businesses and religious groups, raised a matching NT$1 million, which was donated to the county police.

Justice Minister Zheng Mingqian attended the hand‑over ceremony at the Changhua District Prosecutor’s Office alongside County Mayor Wang Huimei, Prosecutor‑General Huang Zhiyong, Police Chief Chen Shihuang and other officials. Zheng said the fast‑acting tests will let first‑line officers “quickly identify emerging drugs and intervene early,” creating a green channel for early detection and referral. The initiative is part of a broader anti‑drug‑driving campaign; nationwide, 17 lives were lost in the first half of 2026 due to drug‑impaired driving. The Ministry of Justice also announced tougher penalties and re‑classification of etomidate as a first‑grade drug to strengthen enforcement.