Taiwan Faces a Surge in ‘Zombie Vape’ Use: Authorities Report a 58-Fold Spike

Reported use of “zombie vapes”—electronic cigarettes containing the sedative etomidate—has surged 58-fold in Taiwan this year, according to the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office. This alarming trend, which officials revealed last Wednesday, signals a growing public health issue as young people increasingly turn to these narcotic-laced vapes.

A Drastic Rise in Etomidate-Positive Cases

The use of “zombie vapes” is no longer a fringe issue; it’s escalating at an unprecedented rate. According to the Food and Drug Administration, non-urine samples testing positive for etomidate—a powerful central nervous system depressant typically used to induce anesthesia—have skyrocketed. In 2022, only 22 cases were recorded, but as of last month, that figure has spiked to a staggering 1,281 cases.

Officials attribute this surge to the increased availability of illicit products and a growing curiosity among young people. Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office prosecutor Chao Yen-li emphasized that the authorities will strengthen measures to counteract drug abuse, particularly the rise in both cannabis and etomidate-related narcotics.

Kaohsiung Medical University’s pediatrician Lin Yi-ching voiced concern over etomidate’s dangerous side effects, which range from irritability and disorganized behavior to potentially fatal outcomes like tremors, twitching, or worse. Lin warned that without intervention, the potential for overdose and life-threatening incidents remains high, especially as young people are reportedly experimenting more with these substances.

Cannabis Popularity Soars: Seizures and Cultivations on the Rise

The rise in “zombie vape” usage mirrors a broader trend of increasing drug use across Taiwan. Authorities reported that cannabis, once less common in the region, is now surging in popularity. Last year alone, law enforcement seized over 2.3 tonnes of cannabis—a nearly tenfold increase from the 240.5 kilograms confiscated in 2021.

Moreover, authorities have cracked down on illegal cannabis cultivation. From January to August, law enforcement officials seized 15,360 cannabis plants, a significant increase from the previous year’s 6,692 plants. Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau suggests this sharp increase in cannabis seizures is indicative of shifting social attitudes, with cannabis now standing among the most sought-after narcotics in the country.

The Broader Consequences of Drug Use on Public Safety

Drug-related incidents are posing an increasing threat to public safety. Criminal Investigation Bureau official Liu Chen-ju highlighted a troubling pattern: hit-and-run cases involving drivers under the influence of etomidate-laced vapes. This year alone, two police officers lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries in incidents tied to narcotic-influenced hit-and-runs.

As usage rises, authorities are under mounting pressure to curb both the availability of narcotic-laced vapes and their effects on society. Law enforcement reports show that between July and this month, they have seized over 14,000 “zombie vape” cartridges, along with powders and liquids capable of creating more than 1.83 million additional cartridges valued at NT$4.6 billion (US$143 million).

Government Weighs Reclassification of Etomidate Amid Health Concerns

As the “zombie vape” epidemic unfolds, the Ministry of Justice is considering stronger legal measures. Etomidate is currently listed as a Category 3 narcotic, but Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice Department of Prosecutorial Affairs is reviewing whether to reclassify it to Category 2, which would carry stricter legal implications. This reclassification is scheduled to be discussed next month and, if approved, could potentially curb the use and distribution of etomidate-laced products.

Such measures are essential, officials argue, not just for discouraging use but also for preventing abuse and recidivism. Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office prosecutor Huang Kuan-yun stressed that the office is advancing policies that promote addiction treatment and deferred prosecution for drug users. These policies aim to help individuals struggling with substance abuse find treatment options and a path to recovery rather than face punitive legal consequences.

Huang noted that the recidivism rate for those who received addiction treatment under deferred prosecution is significantly lower—at just 22.5 percent—compared to those sentenced to traditional forms of rehabilitation or incarceration. By promoting deferred prosecution, the office hopes to encourage more people to pursue addiction treatment voluntarily.

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