Recent trends in drug abuse in China
Abstract
Drug abuse has spread quickly since reemerging as a national problem in China in
the late 1980s. The number of registered drug abusers increased from 70 000 in
1990 to more than one million by the end of 2004. In addition to opioids, abuse of
“new” types of drugs including 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
and ketamine has spread since 1997. Illicit drug trafficking and production have
swept most of southern China, and throughout the country drug abuse has caused
many problems for both abusers and the community. One major drug-related
problem is the spread of HIV, which has caused major social and economic damage
in China. In response, the Chinese government has begun an anti-drug
campaign, including legislative measures to control drug abuse. However, changing
the public’s attitudes toward drug abusers and breaking the link between drug
use and HIV spread are equally important.
Keywords:
the late 1980s. The number of registered drug abusers increased from 70 000 in
1990 to more than one million by the end of 2004. In addition to opioids, abuse of
“new” types of drugs including 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
and ketamine has spread since 1997. Illicit drug trafficking and production have
swept most of southern China, and throughout the country drug abuse has caused
many problems for both abusers and the community. One major drug-related
problem is the spread of HIV, which has caused major social and economic damage
in China. In response, the Chinese government has begun an anti-drug
campaign, including legislative measures to control drug abuse. However, changing
the public’s attitudes toward drug abusers and breaking the link between drug
use and HIV spread are equally important.