Battle Against Drugs Successful, But Problem Still Grows

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 31, 2001

Battle Against Drugs Successful, But Problem Still Grows

97,800 Cases Handled

China has redoubled efforts to combat drugs with great achievement scored since the beginning of this year, according to sources from the national conference of the State Narcotics Control Commission held in Beijing on December 29. By the end of last November, narcotic control officers dealt with 97,800 cases involving drug trafficking.

As a result, the police has apprehended 67,500 drug traffickers, destroyed 44 drug production lairs and seized 2.3 ton of opium, 4.6 ton of methamphetamine, 1.87 million tablet of MDMA ("ecstasy"), 102 ton of all kinds of precursory chemicals for drugs, and 12.3 ton of heroin in total, 1.95 times as against the gross of last year. Besides, the police have successfully cracked down on 21 cases of transferring 1,352 ton of precursor chemicals abroad by intensifying its efforts against drugs to flow abroad.

As reported, all local governments concerned have intensified the crackdown on the illegal trade of narcotics this year and made marked achievements.

In the 17 key areas for the campaign, local police have handled 7,748 cases, arrested 13,819 criminal suspects and 96 criminal gangs, seized over 180 kg of different narcotics, destroyed 121 lairs, and treated 14,000 drug addicts at compulsory rehabilitation centers or treatment and reeducation-through- labor centers last year.

Drug Problem Grows, Upsets Social Stability

On the other hand, the country is facing an increasingly tough task for cracking down on drug trafficking and abuse. According to statistics from the department concerned, by the end of last October, the registered drug addicts were 901,000 persons, with additional 25,900 persons. Of the registered drug addicts, more than 20,000 persons were taking in "methamphetamine" or MDMA and some 745,000 persons were taking in heroin.

As reported, evidence indicates that the drug problem in the notorious Golden Triangle, an area between Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, and the Golden Crescent in Central Asia, is a growing threat to China.

With more illegal narcotics being smuggled into China and various domestic drugs produced, drug consumption is rising and causing real damage to economic development and social stability. Of the total number of robbery or theft cases throughout the country, quite a few were conducted by drug addicts as shown in statistics. In addition, the number of HIV/AIDS cases caused by drug injection showed a sharp increase. By the end of last October, of the total number of 28,000 reported HIV/AIDS patients in China, more than 19,000 persons were infected with HIV via drug injection.

White Paper on Narcotics Control

The Information Office of the State Council published a white paper entitled "Narcotics Control in China", on the government's position on the issue and the achievements it has scored in the work.Following is the full text:

Foreword

I. Sticking to the Position of Strict Drug Control

II. Constantly Strengthening Drug Control Legislation

III. Cracking Down on Drug-Related Crimes

IV.Exercising Strict Control over the Precursor Chemicals

V. Treatment and Rehabilitation

VI. Raising the Consciousness of the Entire People Against Drugs

VII. Developing International Cooperation in Drug Control

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26 June)

In 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

By PD Online staff member Huang Ying

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