Decline in Drug-Related Cases in China Despite Rising New Drug Crimes

Over the last ten years, China has experienced a notable decline in drug-related criminal cases. In the first five months of 2025, the people's courts concluded 9,343 first-instance drug-related cases, reflecting a decrease of 29.31 percent from the same period the previous year. In 2024, the total count of such cases reached 35,859. Despite this decrease, there has been an alarming rise in new types of drug offenses that have outpaced traditional drug crimes, with a notable shift indicating that younger individuals are becoming both users and offenders.

To combat these issues, people's courts are rigorously enforcing strict sentencing policies, particularly against serious offenses like smuggling, manufacturing, and large-scale drug trafficking. Those at the helm of drug trafficking organizations, including leaders, habitual offenders, and financiers, face severe legal consequences, including the potential for capital punishment for particularly egregious acts. Between January and May 2025, 14,456 individuals involved in drug cases received their sentences, with 2,821 serving prison terms of five years or more. This indicates a heavy sentencing rate of 19.51 percent, substantially higher than the overall criminal case rate during the same timeframe in 2024.

In light of the evolving landscape of drug-related crimes, the courts are making new types of drug offenses a priority. This includes addressing crimes where minors are involved either as offenders or victims, particularly those crimes where drugs are used to facilitate serious offenses like rape and robbery. The enforcement of stringent penalties is aimed at deterring such heinous acts. Crimes linked to medical narcotics and psychotropic substances that are diverted to illegal markets are also being systematically punished to ensure the safety of the general public from drug abuse. Furthermore, the courts strive to differentiate clearly between criminal activities and legitimate medical usage to protect public health while ensuring precise legal classifications and fair penalties.

To bolster public awareness, the courts have initiated various engaging campaigns focused on educating the community about drug-related laws, revealing the different forms and dangers of new psychoactive substances, and enhancing the public, particularly youth, awareness and ability to identify, prevent, and reject drug use.