The discovery of investigations into the drugging of preschoolers in Taiwan has caused significant worry on the island.
Teachers at a kindergarten in New Taipei City are allegedly sedating children with cough syrups that contain benzodiazepines and phenobarbital, according to BBC News.
According to police, it is unclear why the children were given the addicting syrups after weeks of investigation. The controversy, however, has prompted family rallies in front of government offices.
On Sunday, hundreds of people rallied in New Taipei City to demand greater transparency from the police inquiry. Many protesters criticized the government for keeping information from the public.
Another Drugging Incident in Taiwan?
On the opposite end of the island, in the southern city of Kaohsiung, another story involving a medical practice surfaced on Monday.
Four doctors were found guilty of misconduct and using phenobarbital improperly on roughly 20 youngsters by the local health agency. They received a six-month practicing ban and a fine of 1.4 million Taiwanese dollars (£35,989, $46,121).
What Taiwan is Doing
Taipei City Hospital has now started providing free blood testing for preschoolers to screen for signs of sedatives in response to growing public concern.
The actions follow the scandal's initial appearance in May when parents at a private preschool in New Taipei City accused staff members of giving their kids "unknown drugs" to ingest.
In June, local authorities initiated an inquiry in response to more parent concerns. During this examination, it was discovered that at least eight kids had trace levels of the psychoactive medications phenobarbital and benzodiazepines in their systems.
On June 12, a court ordered the Kid Castle Educational Institute franchise kindergarten at the center of the dispute to close. A fine of 150,000 Taiwanese dollars (£3,800; $4,872) has been imposed on its directors.
Police detained and interrogated the principal and five instructors; however, they were later freed on bond. There is an ongoing criminal inquiry.
According to local media, the staff said that the parents had given their approval for a list of medications provided by the school, but several parents objected, questioning the medications the school was using.
Although uncommon, some cough and gastrointestinal medications include phenobarbital, a Taiwanese pharmacist told the local media.
Phenobarbital-containing medications are hard to come by and are mostly used to treat epilepsy or as a surgical anesthetic.
The most popular usage of benzodiazepines, a type of depressive medication, is to treat extremely high levels of anxiety.
The medicines are extremely addictive, and an overdose can cause fainting and breathing difficulties.
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