CHINA MAKES ACHIEVEMENTS FIGHTING DRUGS IN 2008

BEIJING -- The Ministry of Public Security said on its Web site Sunday
that antidrug organizations across China made "obvious achievements"
last year in stopping drug sources and improving rehabilitation methods.

The ministry said antidrug forces cracked about 55,000 criminal cases
in the first 11 months of last year and detained 65,000 suspects based
on China's antidrug law.

About 3.9 metric tons of heroin was confiscated and around 1300 groups
were suppressed for making or dealing drugs.

A total of 17 professional rehabilitation centers have been built
across China so far, the ministry said, adding the centers now
emphasize the welfare of addicts so as to prevent them from relapse
after giving up drugs.

Antidrug forces also enhanced cooperation with international
counterparts on digging out overseas drug sources, said the ministry.