A dangerous new drug trend known as “zombie vapes” has taken hold in Taiwan, with authorities warning that the narcotic – scientifically named etomidate – appears to have originated from China. While the exact timeline of its entry into Taiwan remains unclear, medical experts believe the substance began spreading from China around mid-2023 under the name “Shangtou Yan,” roughly translating to “head-high cigarettes.” Within months, the phenomenon gained popularity locally and adopted street names such as “zombie vapes” or simply “eggs.”
The shocking potency of this drug was highlighted in a recent incident in Kaohsiung, where a man in a disoriented state crashed his vehicle into four motorcycles, injuring two people. Police searching the car discovered a staggering 25 zombie vapes, raising fears about the scale of abuse and the imminent threat to public safety.
Dr Chen Chi, an addiction specialist at Taipei City Hospital Songde Branch, shared that Chinese authorities moved to regulate etomidate at the end of 2023 after widespread abuse led to over 20,000 new cases within just three months. This rapid surge points to a fast-moving cross-border crisis, reflecting the potential of such substances to spark regional mental health emergencies.
Drug Abuse Shows Clear Regional Patterns Across Asia
Dr Chen explained that drug abuse patterns often show distinct regional characteristics. Etomidate, for example, has become prevalent in East Asian territories like China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong but remains rare in Western countries or Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the United States battles its own epidemic with fentanyl – a powerful synthetic opioid wreaking havoc on communities – yet Taiwan has seen almost no fentanyl-related incidents despite close cultural and economic ties with America.
These differences, he noted, likely stem from variations in supply chains, cultural trends, and local usage habits, emphasising how substance addiction crises evolve based on unique societal contexts. “What’s clear is that each region’s drug landscape is shaped by its own circumstances, so we must strengthen local awareness and enforcement accordingly,” Dr Chen remarked.
Members of the public have expressed confusion over how a sedative like etomidate can lead to violent outbursts. Dr Chen clarified that, while sedatives typically help people “ease off the accelerator” of their brains, excessive or improper use can “release the brakes too,” making individuals act impulsively or aggressively in situations that normally wouldn’t provoke them. This heightened risk becomes especially concerning if the user is operating a vehicle or engaging in activities requiring sound judgement.
Mixing Substances Raises Alarming Health Risks
Dr Chen further warned that some users deliberately combine zombie vapes with other illicit substances in an attempt to create intensified or novel effects. Such practices dramatically increase the risk of severe complications, as conflicting drug mechanisms can overstimulate or destabilise the nervous system, potentially leading to violent behaviour, hallucinations, cardiovascular issues, or even fatal outcomes.
Despite growing concerns, doctors have identified a small but promising shift: more users are reportedly seeking medical advice after experiencing alarming side effects. Dr Chen said this emerging trend suggests rising awareness of the dangers of zombie vapes and highlights the importance of continued cooperation between healthcare professionals and law enforcement agencies to intervene early and monitor at-risk individuals.
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity related to zombie vapes, stressing that curbing this crisis will require a multi-faceted approach combining public education, effective policing, and comprehensive addiction treatment programmes. Only through such concerted efforts can Taiwan hope to overcome the severe mental health crisis posed by this latest wave of dangerous substance abuse.