The number of drug addicts in China is slowly increasing, a report released by the National Narcotics Control Commission said on Monday.
The report stated that there were about 2.51 million drug users in China by the end of 2016, an increase of 6.8 per cent from the previous year.
It stated that about 22,000 people were under 18, and more than 1.46 million were aged between 18 and 35.
It added that “the increase of heroin addicts decreased last year while the number of persons addicted to synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine and ketamine, increased faster too.
“About 1.52 million drug users were addicted to synthetic drugs in 2016.’’
China launched a project to promote community drug detoxification and rehabilitation in 2015. The project focused on setting up local institutions and recruiting volunteers.
About 81,000 staff and volunteers are now working for community-based rehab programmes.
China’s anti-drug efforts have also intensified, with Chinese police arresting 168,000 suspects for drug production or trafficking, and solving 140,000 drug-related criminal cases last year.(Xinhua/NAN)