Lan Ying criticizes Shen Boyang’s drug prevention article from 12 years ago as a political tool. Review of Taipei City’s drug prevention history

2026/10/04 13:07

Taipei Kunming Prevention and Control Center. (Photo by reporter Cai Kaiheng)

[Reporter Cai Kaiheng/Taipei Report] Lanying fiercely criticized the drug prevention article published by DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Boyang 12 years ago, which has now become a political offensive and defensive tool. Looking back on the history of drug prevention and control in Bei City, the Substance Abuse Hazard Control Center was established in 2006. In 2007, a special methadone clinic was opened at the Yangming Campus of the United Medical College. Many automatic needle service machines and needle recycling bins were also installed in parks, pharmacies and various medical institutions.

Taipei City established the Taipei City Substance Abuse Hazard Prevention Center in 2006, which was renamed the Taipei City Government Drug Hazard Prevention Center the following year. The Health Bureau plans prevention and treatment services, integrates medical care, police affairs, social affairs, labor, and education, and is responsible for drug case management, tracking and counseling.

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Taipei United Hospital has a special outpatient clinic for methadone. (Photo by reporter Cai Kaiheng)

In 2015, the Kunming Prevention and Treatment Center was established to combine drug prevention and AIDS prevention and treatment services, including a drug prevention referral service and protection support group, which provides prevention of infectious diseases related to drug addiction cases (such as AIDS, hepatitis C, etc.), related health education consultation, screening services, employment, schooling, social welfare and legal resource referrals.

According to the official website of Taipei United Hospital, methadol substitution therapy is one of the ways to treat opiate addiction. In addition to delaying and slowing down the withdrawal effects and reducing the frequency of heroin use, it can also reduce possible AIDS or hepatitis virus infections during the injection process, reducing family pressure and health care expenses. United Medical College Yangming Campus opened a special methadone clinic in 2007 to help people get rid of drug addiction; the Kunming campus also has a methadone clinic.

List of designated agencies for substance use disorder treatment and life reconstruction services (including methadone administration sites) form. (Picture taken from the Ministry of Health and Welfare)

In addition, according to statistics from the Taipei City Health Bureau, there are currently 19 automatic needle service machines for drug addicts to purchase clean needles to avoid disease transmission. They are located in Songshan, Datong, Zhongshan, Nangang, Shilin, Xinyi, Zhongzheng, Wanhua, Wenshan and other administrative districts; 32 needle recycling bins are also located in various district parks, pharmacies and medical institutions.

There are currently 2 locations in Taipei City that provide cross-district drug delivery services for methadone, such as the Kunming Campus of United Medical Clinic and the Beitou Branch of the Third Hospital. Methadone maintenance treatment is provided in 4 locations, including United Medical College Songde Campus, Kunming Campus, Heping Maternity and Infant Hospital, and No. 3 Hospital Beitou Branch. Butylnorphine treatment is available at 5 locations. In addition to the above 4 locations, there are also public clinics and treatment services affiliated to the Third Mainland China.