ANTI-DRUG LAW FOCUSES ON TREATMENT

THE nation's new Anti-Drug Law focuses on treatment of drug addicts
rather than punishment and asks the government to offer financial
support, the director of the only compulsory rehabilitation center
in Shanghai said.

Li Yu, director of the Shanghai Compulsory Rehabilitation Center,
which is affiliated to the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, told
Shanghai Daily that the number of drug addicts it treats rises about
5 percent every year.

He added that the center is now treating people addicted to newer
drugs such as ecstasy and crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride, a
powerful, synthetic stimulant commonly known as ice.

The center's therapy, which is on Yingao Road, combines Chinese
traditional medicine such as acupuncture and Western practices.

The new law took effect on June 1.

By the end of March, there were more than 34,000 drug addicts in the
city, Li said, adding that the number will increase as police solve
more cases and catch more addicts.

Shanghai police had solved 24 cases each involving more than 1
kilogram of seized drugs in the first three months this year. In
those cases, police seized a total of 90.89 kilograms of drugs.
Heroin accounted for less than 15 percent of the seized drugs while
ice, ecstasy and ketamine made up a much higher percentage.