Risky sexual activities and non-heterosexuality have been linked with higher rates of substance abuse, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) survey released yesterday found.
The national survey, which polled approximately 17,800 people aged between 12 and 64, was the nation’s first that concentrated primarily on drug abuse.
It was jointly conducted by the FDA and researchers from National Taiwan University’s (NTU) College of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University, Kaohsiung Medical University, Chung Shan Medical University and Tzu Chi University.
“The poll showed that people with substance abuse problems are 9.7 times, 10.6 times and 12.7 times more likely to have multiple sexual partners, have participated in one-night stands and have engaged in multipartner sex than those without an addiction,” NTU College of Public Health dean Chen Wei-jen (陳為堅) told a news conference held by the agency in Taipei yesterday morning to publicize the results.
A high occurrence rate of drug abuse is also observed among homosexual and bisexual individuals, Chen said, adding that of all the respondents who identified themselves as non-heterosexual, 7.3 percent said that they had abused substances, while just 1.9 percent said they never had the problem.
However, a cause-and-effect relationship between the prevalence of substance abuse and the above behaviors and sexual orientations remains undetermined, Chen added.
People with drug addictions are more prone to depression than those addicted to other substances, Chen said.
“About 18.6 percent of respondents with drug problems received medium or high depression scores on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale, compared with 12.2 percent among e-cigarette users, 8.4 percent among traditional cigarette smokers, 8.4 percent among betel nut chewers and 7.7 percent among alcoholics,” he said.
The results indicate a dire need for the government and schools to establish better mechanisms through which troubled individuals can seek help, Chen said.
The survey showed a slight decrease in the percentage of people who have suffered from drug problems, from 1.43 percent in 2009 to 1.29 percent, which can be translated to about 230,000 people, FDA Division of Controlled Drugs Director Tsay Wen-ing (蔡文瑛) said.
“The three most-used illicit drugs in the country last year were amphetamine, ketamine and marijuana,” Tsay said. “The majority, or 66.7 percent, of those polled said their first experience with illegal drug use was prompted by curiosity, followed by 14.2 percent who cited the relaxation of pressure as the reason.”
Tropical depression TD22, which was over waters south of the Ryukyu Islands, is likely to develop into a tropical storm by this morning and pose a significant threat to Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The depression is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm named Krathon as it moves south and then veers north toward waters off Taiwan’s eastern coast, CWA forecaster Hsu Chung-yi (徐仲毅) said. Given the favorable environmental conditions for its development, TD22’s intensity would reach at least typhoon levels, Hsu said. As of 2pm yesterday, the tropical depression was about 610km east-southeast of Taiwan proper’s
RESTRICTIONS: All food items imported from the five prefectures must be accompanied by radiation and origin certificates, and undergo batch-by-batch inspection The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday announced that almost all produce from five Japanese prefectures affected by the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant disaster would now be allowed into Taiwan. The five are Fukushima, Gunma, Chiba, Ibaraki and Tochigi. The only items that would still be blocked from being imported into the nation are those that are still banned from being circulated in Japan, the FDA added. With the removal of the ban, items including mushrooms, the meat of wild birds and other wild animals, and koshiabura” (foraged vegetables) would now be permitted to enter Taiwan, along with the other
A new tropical storm is expected to form by early tomorrow morning, potentially developing into a medium-strength typhoon that is to affect Taiwan through Wednesday next week, the Central Weather Administration said today. There are currently two tropical systems circulating to the east of Taiwan, agency forecaster Hsu Chung-yi (徐仲毅) said. The one currently north of Guam developed into Tropical Storm Gebi this afternoon and is expected to veer toward Japan without affecting Taiwan, Hsu said. Another tropical depression is 600km from the east coast and is likely to develp into the named storm Krathon either late tonight or early tomorrow, he said. This
DIVA-READY: The city’s deadline for the repairs is one day before pop star Jody Chiang is to perform at the Taipei Dome for the city’s Double Ten National Day celebrations The Taipei City Government has asked Farglory Group (遠雄集團) to repair serious water leaks in the Taipei Dome before Friday next week, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said yesterday, following complaints that many areas at the stadium were leaking during two baseball games over the weekend. The dome on Saturday and Sunday hosted two games in tribute to CTBC Brothers’ star Chou Szu-chi (周思齊) ahead of his retirement from the CPBL. The games each attracted about 40,000 people, filling the stadium to capacity. However, amid heavy rain, many people reported water leaking on some seats, at the entrance and exit areas, and the