I have to ask this question, does every new poster on this forum ask stupid questions?

Just cos they're not caught doesn't mean they're not doing it.

Now seriously I know it's a broad stupid sterotypical question, but really.. even the ex-pats I bumped into in Taiwan were talking about "scoring some weed later", is there any way to escape this?? Or am I the only one in my generation who actually doesn't want to get high all the time??

Canadian man busted for marijuana

Taichung, Taiwan -- A Canadian man was arrested yesterday for drug-trafficking and growing marijuana in his residence in Taichung.

The man, identified only as Steven, was caught by the police at his lodging with several marijuana plants in it. The police also ferreted out 57 grams of the drugs and more than 3500 hemp seeds.

The law enforcement found out that the seeds were sent by his relatives and friends from overseas and sometimes carried by himself when entering Taiwan. Steven used special equipment to grow the cannabis including plates, potting soil and lighting devices and sold his harvest through drug trafficking channel to make profits.

According to police's investigation, Steven has two jobs during the day including giving lectures at a golf club and teaching English in a school.

Anti-drug plan begins

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The National Police Agency (NPA) kicked off early this morning a large-scale drug crackdown campaign in line with the official implementation of a set of amendments to the Narcotics Endangerment Prevention Act, which will start to impose criminal punishment on those who take or hold less than 20 grams of Ketamine.
Under the amendments, those who hold or take less than 20 grams of grade-3 narcotics such as Ketamine, or grade-4 stabilizer narcotics will be subject to a fine of NT$10,000 to NT$50,000, and four to eight hours of instruction courses.

Accordingly, if juveniles and students who are caught taking Ketamine fail to pay the fines, the administrative enforcement units under the Ministry of Justice will enforce the collection of fines from them.

As to those who hold over 20 grams of the grade-3 and grade-4 narcotics will face a jail term of less than three years.

Lin Der-hua, commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Bureau under the NPA, said that those who try to commit suicide by taking powerful benzodiazepam as FM2 and Erinim purchased from non-medical units will be prosecuted if they fail the suicide attempt.

Based on the revised Narcotics Endangerment Prevention Act, those who are found taking a large amount of narcotics will be imposed heavier jail terms than before.

For instance, those who hold 10 grams and over of heroin (grade-1 narcotics) will face an imprisonment of over one year and under seven years.

Those who hold 20 grams and over of amphetamine (grade-2 drug) will be sentenced to over six months and under five years in jail.

Those who hold 20 grams and over of Ketamine (grade-3 drug) will be imprisoned for less than three years, and those who hold 20 grams and over of grade-4 stabilizer drugs will be jailed for less than one year.

The Ministry of Justice yesterday invited a female police serving at the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office to serve as the anti-drug spokesperson, calling for nationals to join the anti-drug campaign.

Taking Ketamine is allegedly quite rampant in university campuses, constituting a big challenge to the police in maintaining social order.

According to statistics compiled by the Ministry of Justice, the police and investigation agents confiscated a total of 523.7 kilograms of Ketamine in the first eight months of 2008, but the figure already doubled to 1,045.2 kilograms in the same eight months of this year, indicating the rampant drug abuse among young people.

There we go again.

Seen on TV this afternoon: Teacher 'Steven' at golf training center in Taichung caught growing marijuana at home and dealing in local clubs. Police found 57 g of the product and 3,500 'seeds.'

Dare I mention his country of origin? To protect the sensitive, here is the censored version: Cxxxxa.

I guess the full story will be in the papers tomorrow morning.

Any bets when the next bust will be?

But seriously folks, there seem to be a lot of young chaps who feel they are immune/invincible. If you know anyone who is at risk, could be a good time to give them a friendly but stern talking to.