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.
(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2007)