Use of Illegal Drugs on Rise in China, Report Says

(Beijing) — China saw a sharp increase in illegal drug use and production in 2016, particularly among synthetic drugs, according to a government report published Monday.

Production of the main chemicals used to make synthetic drugs seized in China last year increased more than 75% to 300 tons, as authorities cracked down amid a spike in the number of drug addicts, said the report, issued by China’s National Narcotic Control Commission (NNCC).

The number of drug users on record in China rose 7% from 2015 to 2016, bringing the total number to 2.5 million. During that time, police seized 1,585 tons of illicit drugs in 444 cases.

Among China’s 2.5 million drug users, over 60%, or 1.5 million, were found to use synthetic drugs, such as methamphetamine, commonly known as “meth” or “ice.” Among new addicts, the number was higher, at 80% of drug users, the report said.

The NNCC said it was particularly alarmed by the growing recreational use of so-called designer drugs, formally known as “new psychoactive drugs.” These are synthetic drugs that often mimic the effects of existing drugs, yet may not have been declared illegal or may not be fully understood.

Law enforcement officers in China identified 1,529 samples of new psychoactive drugs last year, including the addictive stimulant methcathinone, according to the report.

More than 70% of the illicit drugs seized in China last year were manufactured in China, according to commission Vice Director Liu Yuejin.

“Illicit drug manufacturing operations were found in 26 of the 31 (mainland) provinces, regions and municipalities,” he said, “with both their scale and output rising significantly.” Cases in which seizure exceeded 1 ton of illicit drugs more than doubled last year to 33 cases, the report showed.

In China, the internet increasingly has become a channel through which smugglers and users promote and buy illicit drugs, which is further facilitated by modern courier services.

More than 21,000 suspects were caught dealings illicit drugs online last year, which led police to intercept 10.8 tons of narcotic drugs and another 52 tons of precursor chemicals used in drug production, according to the report.

Contact reporter Li Rongde (rongdeli@caixin.com)