China's counternarcotics efforts have been consistently stringent, contributing to the control of illicit drug abuse, according to a recent report. Last year, authorities addressed 37,000 criminal cases related to illicit drugs, resulting in the arrest of 62,000 suspects and the seizure of 26.7 metric tons of such substances.
The report highlighted a decrease in opioid and methamphetamine abuse. By the end of the previous year, the number of opioid abusers in China had decreased by 28 percent year-on-year, while methamphetamine abuse dropped by 23.3 percent.
Despite these positive trends, the report noted changes in the types of drugs being abused, specifically pointing to the serious abuse of narcotics and psychotropic substances. Etomidate, an anesthetic agent, was identified as a primary example of drugs abused in 2024. A significant portion, approximately 86 percent, of those detected and punished for abusing these substances were under the age of 35.
Furthermore, the report indicated a shift towards unregulated substances, such as nitrous oxide, also known as "laughing gas." In the previous year, 49,000 individuals were found to be abusing unregulated substances, with 30,000 of them abusing laughing gas.
China has responded to these emerging trends by regulating new addictive substances and intensifying law enforcement efforts to combat the production, sale, and abuse of these substances. In 2024, authorities addressed 566 criminal cases involving laughing gas, leading to the arrest of 2,293 suspects and the seizure of 358,000 liters of the gas. In the first quarter of this year, 87 such criminal cases were addressed, and 301 suspects were captured.
To increase public awareness, particularly among young people, China will launch an online campaign from June to December to raise awareness about the dangers of narcotics and psychotropic substances. The report also stated that China has not seen serious abuse of fentanyl, which has been fully regulated.
5 Comments
ZmeeLove
It’s refreshing to see the government taking decisive action. Continual efforts like these can save lives!
Muchacha
What good are these statistics if a significant portion of the population is still suffering from addiction? Enforcement alone isn't a solution.
Mariposa
Law enforcement can only do so much—when will there be a focus on the actual treatment of addiction?
Muchacha
These statistics show a strong commitment to tackling drug abuse—let's celebrate this achievement!
Bella Ciao
Seizing laughing gas doesn't tackle the issue of addiction; we need more focus on mental health supports.