Taipei, Taiwan (November 21, 2025)– The National Police Agency (NPA) officially launched its long-planned saliva rapid drug testing enforcement strategy yesterday, aimed at cracking down on drug-impaired driving across the country. The move follows revisions to relevant regulations in coordination with the Ministry of Transportation.
According to NPA statistics, by noon today, police authorities nationwide have identified 10 cases of drug-impaired driving confirmed through saliva-based rapid tests. Taipei City reported the highest number of cases with three drivers testing positive for amphetamines.
The enforcement initiative began yesterday afternoon at around 4 PM, when the NPA issued a nationwide directive to all police agencies to implement the saliva rapid drug testing program.
At approximately 7 PM, the Fengshan Precinct of the Kaohsiung City Police Department stopped a male motorcyclist surnamed Lu on Dadong 1st Road in Fengshan District. His saliva rapid test returned positive for heroin, leading to an immediate prohibition from driving and impoundment of his vehicle. Authorities will also collect a urine sample from Lu, and pending confirmation of drug use, he will be referred to the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office to face charges for endangering public safety and drug-related offenses. This marks the first arrest under the newly implemented enforcement system.
Nationwide, the initial enforcement results show that apart from Kaohsiung, Taipei City led in detected cases with three drivers testing positive for amphetamines during a targeted crackdown on drunk and drugged driving. Other cities reporting cases include New Taipei City (Sanchong and Linkou, one case each), Taoyuan City, Hsinchu City, Taichung City, and Tainan City, each recording one positive case.
The NPA emphasized that the saliva-based rapid drug testing program is part of a broader effort to ensure road safety and reduce drug-related traffic incidents across Taiwan.