President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang shake hands with groups and individuals who were honored for their outstanding contributions to the country's anti-drug cause in Beijing, June 25, 2015. (Photo : ECNS/Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged for more comprehensive and coordinated efforts against drugs, vowing that there would be "no rest until a sweeping victory."
Xi made the remarks Thursday in Beijing in his meeting with groups and individuals who were being honored for their exemplary contributions to the country's anti-drug campaign, ahead of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday.
During the meeting, Xi expressed his respect and gratitude to police, workers and volunteers.
"Drugs are a menace for society and a significant issue concerning public security. They severely harm health, corrupt will, destroy families, consume wealth, poison society, pollute the social environment, and lead to other crimes," Xi said, noting that there was a "very arduous" task ahead.
"The anti-drug work concerns security, prosperity and people's well-being, and a firm opposition to drugs is the routine standpoint of the Party and the government."
Xi also called for all departments to tackle the problem and carry out more effective and resolute measures, adding that the Communist Party of China (CPC) is confident that it could effectively win the fight against drugs.
He added that the campaign matters to the nation's "great rejuvenation," and that it required a steadfast mind and solid work.
Xi also called on Chinese citizens to support the campaign.
Anti-drug awareness should be promoted among people from a younger age, and the education and prevention of drug-related offenses should also be given greater attention, Xi said.
A total of 100 groups and 100 individuals were given awards during the ceremony.
Premier Li Keqiang and Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun attended the event, while outstanding police officers and volunteers also gave speeches during the ceremony.
As of 2014, China had 2.95 million registered drug addicts, although the actual number of individuals who have used narcotics is thought to exceed 14 million, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday.
That means one out of 100 Chinese may have used drugs, said Liu Yuejin, assistant minister of public security.
The direct economic losses caused by drug use in the entire country are estimated to be 500 billion yuan ($80.54 billion) annually, Liu said.
Although the spread of traditional drugs such as heroin has been greatly reduced, the number of identified synthetic drug users rose sharply to 1.46 million, six times the number in 2008.
The rise in drug abuse cases has also led to other problems. According to data from the national drug abuse monitoring center, around 49,000 drug users in China have died in the past year. HIV has infected 3.5 percent of heroin users and 1.4 percent of synthetic drug users.
Cases of suicide, self-mutilation, attacks on police and violent crime resulting from drug use were also observed from time to time, Liu said.
