CHINA READY TO ADOPT ANTI-DRUG RULES TO PROTECT NATION'S CHILDREN

Chinese lawmakers are expected to adopt the country's first anti-drug
law to curb drug-related crime, reduce the soaring number of users and
provide more appropriate care for under-aged addicts.

The law's final draft was "ready for adoption", the Law Committee of
the National People's Congress (NPC) told the 31st session of the NPC
Standing Committee on its opening day Sunday, when the third and
possibly final deliberation of the began.

The number of drug takers in China grew 35 percent in the five years
to 2005 to reach 1.16 million, according to official police data.

Police estimate China has more than 700,000 heroin addicts, 69 percent
under age 35.

Observers said the anti-drug bill showed more humanitarian concern for
users as such a law would allow many to recover in their communities
rather than being confined to rehabilitation centers, as current
regulations require.

In the law's second draft, pregnant women or those breastfeeding while
drug dependent, as well as minors under 14, are deemed inappropriate
for compulsory isolated drug rehabilitation.

But some lawmakers said compulsory drug-rehab measures should not be
considered inappropriate for all minors as it was "an important
measure to educate, save and help addicts shake off the obsession with
drugs".

"If some parents are unable to help their addicted children
rehabilitate, and community corrections have proved ineffective as
well, then young addicts should receive isolated compulsive
drug-rehab," lawmakers said.

In an isolated environment, young addicts could receive treatment
specially designed for them.

This, they said, would be more effective and afford them support from
both family and society.

In light of this, the third draft changed compulsory rehabilitation
for minors "from a mandate to a choice".

After discussion with the State Council (or cabinet) and the Public
Security and Justice ministries, the third draft also changed the age
limit for compulsory rehabilitation from 14 to 16.

This was in line with China's Public Security Administration Law that
said "minors under 16 are not covered by the regulations of
administrative custody".

The third draft, hopefully to be adopted at the ongoing session, also
added that "urban resident committees and township governments should
assist, supervise and urge communities to adopt correction measures on
addicts who are not eligible for a compulsory one".

Lawmakers said the introduction of an anti-drug law was imperative to
prevent and seriously punish drug-related crimes, protect public
health and maintain social order.

Opium, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine hydrochloride - commonly
known as "ice" - morphine and cocaine were listed as banned drugs in
the draft.