Taiwan: teachers arrested for allegedly drugging preschool kids

The principal and five teachers of a preschool in Taiwan have been arrested after parents accused them of drugging their children with cough syrups. One teacher has also been accused of using corporal punishment.

Parents said that their toddlers were showing unusual symptoms like mood swings and cramps. Eight children reportedly tested positive for psychoactive drugs phenobarbital and benzodiazepines. Phenobarbital is used for treating epilepsy and benzodiazepines are a strong sleeping drug. It is, however, not clear why the drugs were being given to the children.

The school has apologised to the parents and said that while the truth is yet to come out, it will facilitate the transfer of the children to other schools.