Shen Boyang posted an invitation to debate drug policy. Jiang Wanan: Anti-drug rights and wrongs are not a debate option.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan said that anti-drug right and wrong issues are not like debates where you can choose a positive or negative position. (Photo taken by reporter Fang Bin)

In 2014, Shen Boyang, a Taipei mayoral candidate from the Democratic Progressive Party, wrote an article on the "Think About Forum" expressing his views on drug policy. Part of the text was questioned by the Kuomintang. Shen Boyang directly issued a battle post to fight with Taipei. Mayor Jiang Wanan debated with New Taipei mayor candidate Li Sichuan; Chen Yixin, chairman of the Kuomintang Cultural Communication Committee, also directly called on Shen Boyang and Jiang Wanan today (4th) to have a public debate on drug policy and stop exchanging fire from a distance. Jiang Wanan responded that the issue of the rights and wrongs of anti-drugs is not a debate that can have pros and cons. He just firmly stands on the stance of anti-drugs and zero tolerance for drugs.

Jiang Wanan attended the establishment of the Military, Public, Educational, Police and Fire Support Association this morning. When asked about Shen Boyang's invitation to debate drugs, he said that there will definitely be a debate in Taipei City and he will definitely participate. The implication is that there will no longer be a separate debate about drugs.

However, Chen Yixin said today that Shen Boyang has openly invited the debate, and Jiang Wanan has previously made it clear that he is willing to participate in the debate. Since both sides are willing, they should seize the opportunity to engage in an open confrontation over drug policy. He officially called on the two men to hold an open debate on drug policy. "Stop exchanging fire from afar, and explain the policy clearly face to face, and let Taipei citizens make their own judgments."

When Jiang Wanan attended the founding meeting of the Educational Support Association in the afternoon and was asked about Chen Yixin’s appeal, he said that anti-drugs are right and wrong issues, and the debate is not about choosing the pros and cons. He has chosen to firmly stand on the anti-drugs and zero-tolerance stance on drugs. He will definitely stick to this position and work with all bureaus and units in Taipei City to do their best to prevent drugs and prevent drugs from entering the campus.

Jiang Wanan said that Shen Boyang's previous article clearly advocated that drugs should be distributed in community centers. He would like to ask Shen Boyang again, "Where are you going to set up a community center to distribute drugs? What kind of drugs are you going to distribute and administer?" He questioned Shen Boyang's statement that social workers should be involved. How to implement the intervention of social workers? These must be faced properly and explained clearly to the outside world.