Pubdate: Wed, 20 Dec 2006
Source: China Post, The (Taiwan)
Copyright: 2006 The China Post.
Contact:  http://www.chinapost.com.tw
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2840

DRUG USERS URGED TO TURN THEMSELVES IN

Prosecutors are casting a wider net after receiving  reports that 
there were still more celebrities in  Taiwan's entertainment 
community have been using  illegal drugs.

The crackdown on drug abuse is expected to intensify in  view of 
public response to the negative publicity  caused by a group of 
entertainers who were tested  positive for using prohibited drugs.

Government officials, including Premier Su Tseng-chang  and Interior 
Minister Lee Yi-yang, have been exerting  all efforts to hit hard on 
crimes, including drug  smuggling and abuse, since Su took office and 
declared  war on crimes early this year.

Some prosecutors and law enforcement agents have  received tips from 
whistle blowers that there are still  many more famous entertainers 
who also have heavy  reliance on illegal drugs.

Prosecutor Wu Wen-cheng urged entertainers having  abused drugs to 
voluntarily turn themselves in  immediately and seek help, including 
participating in  rehabilitation programs at hospitals designated by 
the  Department of Health.

All drug abusers in the process of rehabilitation will  be exempted 
from prosecution, Wu said.

Actress and TV hostess Hsiao Shu-sheng was the among  the seven local 
celebrities questioned recently for  alleged drug use tested positive 
for using marijuana  and drugs banned in Taiwan.

Hsiao's case was more alarming because the substance of  cocaine 
found in her body system was 60 times the  allowable limit.

Many of her fans protested for being betrayed by her.

Once a rising entertainment artist with a bright  future, Hsiao once 
served as an "ambassador" against  smoking and drug abuse.

Her agent explained that she could have turned to drug  use after 
undergoing four cosmetic surgeries, including  lipsuction, during 
which certain drugs had to be  employed.

But medical experts said that surgeons normally do not  use cocaine 
during the process of cosmetic operations.

Hsiao and several other well-known entertainers tested  positive for 
drug abuse are expected to be detained at  the Taipei Detention 
Center at Toucheng in Taipei  County after prosecutors win court 
order for their  participation in mandatory rehabilitation.

They have to stay there for at least an observation  period of 40 
days. If failing to pass evaluation, they  have to continue the 
program at separate rehabilitation  centers for another six months. 
The stay may extend to  12 months for certain cases.

Hsiao's agent said the actress could lose the chance to  play the 
leading role in two films to be made by  producers in Taiwan and 
China next year.

The financial losses for others were estimated from  NT$1.67 million 
to NT$6 million each due the  cancellation of program appearances and 
contracts from  sponsors.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elaine