Anti-Drug Driving Gains Momentum! Tainan Youth Committee Joins Forces with City Departments to Build a Safer, Friendlier City

Deputy Secretary-General Hsu Chien-lin presided over the meeting on behalf of Mayor Huang Wei-che, with representatives from various city departments in attendance. Today (23rd), the 4th Youth Affairs Committee of the Tainan City Government convened its 3rd meeting. The Education Bureau delivered a special report on the integration of cross-network mechanisms for juvenile crime prevention, campus safety, and educational support systems, while the Smart Development Center presented achievements in technology-driven anti-fraud initiatives. Youth committee members contributed suggestions on anti-drug campaigns, traffic safety, and fraud prevention based on their personal experiences and peer perspectives.

Mayor Huang Wei-che stated that since its inauguration, the 4th Youth Affairs Committee has actively participated in municipal affairs, offering numerous creative and practical proposals across areas such as youth life, school education, digital applications, and public spaces. He emphasized that city departments should treat youth as policy partners, incorporating youth perspectives from the early stages of policy planning to transform youth ideas into actionable measures.

Regarding the recent societal concern over drug-impaired driving, Deputy Secretary-General Hsu Chien-lin explained that a comprehensive saliva-based drug screening system has been fully implemented. Drivers testing positive face fines, vehicle impoundment, and possible license suspension. Those refusing testing will be fined NT$180,000 and have their licenses revoked.

Drug use is not merely a personal choice but a threat to all road users’ lives. Relevant city agencies must continuously strengthen outreach in schools and youth-centric venues, enhancing young people’s awareness of emerging drugs, the dangers of drug-impaired driving, and legal consequences.

Hsu also encouraged youth committee members to leverage their familiarity with social media trends and peer communication styles to help the city government transform anti-drug messaging into short videos, social media graphics, campus events, and real-life case studies—formats that resonate with youth and improve message reach and recognition.

Youth committee member Cheng Fu-fang proposed using active web crawlers to detect online sales of drug-laced e-cigarettes and passive surveillance camera monitoring to identify dangerous driving behaviors. This dual approach aims to reduce drug-impaired driving. His earlier cybersecurity proposal has already been adopted by the Smart Development Center as red-blue team cyber defense drills, demonstrating how youth input is being translated into tangible policy actions.

Committee members actively provided feedback on departmental reports. Lin Po-yuan expressed gratitude to the Public Works Bureau for facilitating corporate involvement in park ecological conservation and to relevant agencies for promoting Confucius Temple environmental education. Cheng Fu-fang praised the Transportation Bureau’s implementation of the 'point-and-call' system for buses and simplified in-vehicle information displays, advancing human-centered transportation. Shih Pin-hui thanked the Education Bureau for its long-term support of youth career exploration programs, which have earned recognition from central government authorities.

The Research, Evaluation, and Audit Commission of the Tainan City Government stated that it will continue deepening youth public participation, encouraging youth to bring real-life issues into city governance. Youth insights, creativity, and initiative will be vital forces in refining policies and co-creating a safer, more inclusive, and resilient Tainan.