Taiwan reports sharp increase in drug crime

Taipei, Aug 30 (IANS) A total of 51,000 drug-related cases were reported in Taiwan from January to July this year -- a 20 per cent increase since previous year, authorities said on Tuesday.

More than 27,000 people were indicted for involvement in drug offences in the seven months, a 20.9 per cent rise year on year, according to a report which said 6,250 people were put in jail for drug offences, Xinhua news agency reported.

The number of people placed under observation or forced to receive treatment increased by 19.5 per cent and 7.3 per cent, respectively.

Meanwhile, 28,000 people were in prison for drug-related cases by the end of July, accounting for about half of the entire prison population on the island.

--IANS

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