Beijing police say they may force the city's drug addicts to
enroll in year-long rehabilitation programs as authorities recruit
volunteers to keep tabs on drug-taking in the city's night clubs
and other public places.
"In 2007, the focus of police's anti-drug efforts will shift
from public (entertainment) venues to individual abusers," said Fu
Zhenghua, deputy director of the Beijing Public Security
Bureau.
"We do not rule out the possibility of compelling all drug
abusers in the capital to give up their addictions before the
Olympics," he said.
The compulsory rehabilitation term for drug abusers might also
be extended to one year from the current half year, Fu said.
Beijing police will recruit anti-drug volunteers from the staff
of entertainment venue. Each venue will have at least five
volunteers, who will not only promote the city's anti-drug message
but also report drug abuse to police.
Last June city police launched a special campaign, involving
18,000 police officers, in a crack-down on drugs in the city's
night clubs, spas and karaoke bars last June.
Drug related crimes were discovered in 38 entertainment venues
and 11 had their operating licenses suspended and three shut
down.
Fu says the capital reached its goal of wiping out drug use in
entertainment venues last year.
Entertainment venues that are found involved in drugs will be
heavily fined and closed for three to six months this year,
according to the bureau.
The city's narcotics control authorities arrested 4,065 people
on drug-related charges in the first 11 months last year and seized
249 kilograms of various drugs.
(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2007)