China ready to adopt anti-drug rules to protect nation's children

[icedragon17]

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 yesterday, 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

source: chinadaily

[paint_the_sky_red]

Holy moley, I hope that works. It does seem sound, and if it works maybe other countries can adopt it n_n
The idea of the community helping the person and showing more emotional care for an often emotional dependence makes me feel hopeful for the chinese government as well.
If its not just a front to make China look better T-T

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

Maybe its just me, but that sounds a little bit odd.....I don't know how, 'cuz theoretically its prolly really good for the patient but its like infringing on human freedom rights or something, and I'm not saying this to ruffle anyones feathers, it just seems odd.......
Anybody have any thoughts on this?
This is not meant to sound like a debate or make someone angry 'cuz they think addicts need all the help they can get or they need to be locked up to 'get better', I'm just wanting some discussion on this, and maybe others clarification and opinions^^