The American School in Taichung
TAICHUNG, TAIWAN—In an effort to combat teenage depression, the city government of Taichung has promised to contribute more than two billion dollars to a high school field trip fundraiser at the American School in Taichung (AST).
The government’s largesse comes after months of heated debate among government officials on the most effective methods to battle teenage depression. “Our children come home crestfallen every day because they don’t go on field trips. Yesterday, my youngest daughter came home from school with tears in her eyes because she could not go to the Froggy Jump machine at the Janfushan Amusement Park,” said Yu Tu Chep, an accountant and father of four.
The health consequences of field trip deprivation may be dire. Every year, 2.5 million Taiwanese children suffer from Field Trip Deficiency Syndrome, or FTDS, a serious mental disorder characterized by major depression and chronic diarrhea. “There is no known cure for FTDS,” stated Doctor Hu Sou Sik of the University of Hong Kong. “I am happy to see that the billions of dollars given to AST will be put to good use.
The Bald Beagle 
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